Revival of Malam Jabba Ski/Chairlift & Hotel Project

Malam Jabba is a hill station located in the Karakoram mountain range nearly 40 Km from Mingora in Swat valley. Ski slope of about 800 meters with the highest point slope 2804 meters. Malam Jabba Ski Resort was established by the Government of Pakistan with the technical assistance of its Austrian counterpart on approximately 275 Acres land. It was suspended in 2007 due to unrest in the area.

Consequent upon restoration of complete peace in the region tourism activities have been normalized. The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has accordingly decided to invite the private sector for revival of the Malam Jabba Ski / Chairlift and hotel project to be established as per International Standard.

The task was assigned to KP-BOIT with the collaboration of Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP).

Historical Background:

Previously the idea of establishing a "winter-cum-summer Resort including skiing and catering facilities" was conceived by the then Austrian Ambassador in 1962. Land measuring 275 Acres at village Malam Jabba, under the domain of Ex-Wali of Swat was identified for the purpose. Ex-Wali Swat donated 270 Acres of land, free of cost and the remaining 5 Acres were purchased by M/S Pakistan Services Ltd, then handling the Malam Jabba Resort Ltd (MJRL) project. The Federal Government established Malam Jabba Resort Ltd as public company in 1980. The MJRL completed the project at a cost of Rs 90.68 million. The facility remained non-functional till MJRL leased out the facility to PTDC in 1998, which then operationalized the facility. 

However, during the militancy period in Swat region in the year 2007-08, the facility was totally destroyed by the militants.

During the devolution process under 18th Constitutional Amendment, the Ministry of Tourism stood devolved in April, 2011 and MJRL was transferred to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Consequently after the restoration of peace in Swat valley, to build / present the soft image of Swat valley, to boost tourism industry and restore the confidence of tourist the Provincial Government has decided to revive the Malam Jabba Ski / Chairlift and hotel project by establishing International Standard Resort through private sector on BOT basis.

Revival of the Project:

a. Salient Features;

i. Construction of a 4 – 5 Star Hotel comprising of 60 plus rooms besides  20 - 30  rooms  of  3  Star  facilities  including  health club and special facilities with hall for conferences / symposiums.

ii. Development of Ski Resort with all relevant / allied facilities at the Top and Base area.

iii. Dual purpose chairlift for servicing the skiers and general tourists during winters as well as in the summer season.

iv. Zip-Liner aligned with the Chairlift. 

v. Parking, Restaurant / Coffee Shops with snow clearing equipment within hotel open area.

vi. Backup Power generation facility.

vii. Installation of Ski trainers lift.

viii. First aid and medical emergency backup.

ix. Installation of bob sledge, rope stings slide etc.

b. Provincial Government Facilitations:

i. Land measuring 275 acres approximately (5 acres for hotel and 270 acres for ski / chairlift) initially for a period of thirty three (33) years long lease and extendable for another twenty (20) years.

ii. Relevant NOC's from the concerned Departments of the Provincial Government.

iii. Repair / maintenance of 34 Km approach road leading to Malam Jabba.

c. Status of the Project:

KP-BOIT in collaboration with TCKP advertised the project to invite the Expression of Interest (EOI's) from private sector on 3rd and 4th March, 2014. Seven (07) parties / investors submitted the proposals. After following a transparent mechanism the project was awarded to the highest bidder / firm M/S Samsons Group of Companies Lahore.

The signing ceremony of the award of the project was held at Khyber Pakhutnkhwa House, Islamabad on 4th September, 2014, between the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through TCKP and M/S Samsons Group of Companies in the presence of the Honorable Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The investor has already started work on the project with following progress:

• Chairlift has been imported and installation is in progress and will be available for tourist before the coming winter 2015.
• Construction of third story of the main 5-Star Hotel is in progress. The facility of 5-Star Hotel will be available to tourist in summer 2016.
• Before coming snow fall Ski resort with Chairlift facility will be operational.  

The project will be not only a land mark and state of the art tourist destination but also create job opportunities and source of generating economic activities in the valley. Upon completion of the project economic activities will generate on one hand and job opportunities to the qualified youth on the other.