PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority Director General Habibullah Arif has stressed the need to station two helicopter in Malakand and Hazara for improving emergency response mechanisms in the province’s northern regions, particularly in Malakand and Hazara divisions.
Speaking with Pakhtun Digital, Arif said that two dedicated helicopters should be stationed permanently in these regions to support timely relief and rescue operations. He said that helicopters are currently based in Peshawar, the distance and terrain make it difficult to respond swiftly to natural disasters or emergencies in the mountainous districts of Malakand and Hazara.
“Instead of keeping both helicopters in Peshawar, one should be permanently stationed in Malakand and the other in Hazara Division,” Arif said. “This will significantly reduce response time during emergencies such as floods, landslides, or tourist accidents.”
The suggestion comes amid the ongoing monsoon season, during which several areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are at high risk of flash floods and road blockages due to heavy rainfall. Arif also noted the importance of improving access and safety for both local communities and the increasing number of tourists visiting the region during the summer months.
He urged the provincial government and relevant disaster management authorities to prioritise this need, adding that decentralised emergency resources are essential for the safety and development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tourism sector.
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