PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a Rs5.6 billion infrastructure development project aimed at improving road connectivity and boosting tourism in the scenic Galiyat region.
The project covers the reconstruction and upgrading of 63.65 kilometres of roads, including the major 57.5-kilometre Abbottabad-Nathiagali-Barian Road and the 6.15-kilometre Kozagali-Ayubia-Khanspur link road.
According to details, heavy machinery has been deployed and work has begun on the Nathiagali-Barian section. The initiative is expected to improve access to some of the province’s most popular tourist destinations. The government hopes the upgraded road network will make travelling through the mountainous region safer and more convenient while reducing difficulties faced by tourists and local residents.
Officials believe better infrastructure will also help attract more visitors, strengthen tourism-related businesses and create additional economic opportunities for communities in the Galiyat area. The project is part of the provincial government’s efforts to develop tourism infrastructure and improve connectivity to major tourist destinations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Galiyat region, known for destinations including Nathiagali, Ayubia and Khanspur, attracts large numbers of tourists and remains one of KP’s key tourism hubs. Moreover, KP remains one of Pakistan’s major tourism destinations, attracting millions of domestic visitors each year. In 2025, more than 12.4 million domestic tourists visited the province, along with over 8,700 foreign tourists.
Popular destinations include Swat, Galiyat, Naran-Kaghan, Kumrat, Chitral and Malam Jabba, while the province also offers major archaeological and cultural attractions such as Takht-i-Bahi and historic site in Mardan.
Also, there are some issues which include inadequate roads, traffic congestion and limited facilities in some destinations continue to pose challenges.
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