Some facilities provided to tourists in Nuristan

PARON (Pajhwok): Tourists visiting eastern Nuristan province have been provided different facilities and the road to Paron, the provincial capital, has been partially repaired.

Public Works Director Maulvi Ahmad Nabi said that road to Paron has been repaired up to Kunar province and the work is still ongoing in order to provide facilities for tourists coming to the province.

Nuristan Municipality officials also say they have taken a series of measures for the convenience of tourists.

Paron mayor Maulvi Syed Ahmad Khan Arhabi told Pajhwok Afghan News that many shopkeepers and hotel owners would previously close their shops and hotels on Eid holidays, which caused problems for tourists.

But this year, shopkeepers and hotel owners have been asked to provide services to tourists during Eid holidays.

He said previously tourists were forced to give high rent against accommodation rooms and were sold food items at higher prices, but this year they were strictly monitored and warned of legal action.

Praising these measures, local residents and tourists said Nuristan was a national park and tourists should be provided with facilities.

Saeed Khan, a resident of Paron, said bakeries would go shut during Eid holidays in the past and tourists had to bring food items from Kunar.

Jihadullah, a driver on the Nuistan-Kunar road, was happy with the repair of the road, but said such measures should not be limited to Eid days only and should be continued.

He said that the Kunar-Nuristan road was unpaved and people travelling on it were facing many problems.

Tourists from different provinces arrive in Nuristan every year to enjoy its natural beauty, but most of them complain about bad roads and lack of hotels.

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