Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) new Managing Director (MD) Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor has vowed to make PTDC a profitable institution by bringing about revolutionary changes.

In an exclusive talk with Daily Times he said that economy of certain countries fully relies on tourism while the corrupt mafia captured the PTDC and political interference has ruined the corporation. Extraordinary steps will be taken to raise it on its own feet, he added.

“I will try to seek special bail-out package from prime minister on this count as I have told the PM that I will not receive even a penny on account of my salary and perks from national kitty”, he remarked, adding, “I will discharge my obligations voluntarily for my country”.

No political interference will be tolerated at any cost, he declared, adding, “I will announce vital changes in consultation with the subordinate staff and officers of the department. I will try my level best that PTDC regains its lost glory. The issue of employees’ salary will be addressed on top priority basis”.

Responding to a question he said that tourism ministry and tourism department are running under federation all over the world. This department was devolved to provinces following implementation of 18th Amendment but this step could not yield positive result, he added.

He said that problems have been compounded and tourism has reached the brink of annihilation. “It will be my endeavours to talk to the PM to bring back this department to federation”, he added.

He said earlier important ministries of Punjab remained under his charge but no charge of even a single penny corruption was levied against him.