(mnm.com.pk) The management of Malam Jabba Ski Resort has announced a halt to all activities following the Peshawar High Court's decision to ban entry fees.
A statement issued by the Malam Jabba Ski Resort management said that all activities related to the chairlift, zip line, and skiing have been stopped. The decision was made because "there is no longer possible to run a profitable business."
According to the report, the administration charges a fee of Rs. 400. 300 for admission to the resort and surrounding areas. The management is of the view that the proceeds from all these activities and admissions are spent on running the affairs of the resort, including the salaries of 500 employees.
A Swat lawyer had filed a petition in the Mingora Bench of the Peshawar High Court on March 16, 2021, against the resort management charging unusually high fees.
One tourist said that the fee is not only to enter the resort but also to go to the surrounding hills, to go to these public places one has to go through the inside of the resort.
The Peshawar High Court had on April 1 issued an interim order restraining resort investment firm Samson Group of Companies from charging fees to tourists until April 21.
A bench comprising Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed said in its judgment that the Charbagh TMO could not make it clear that a private entity was collecting illegal taxes/duties from the public by obstructing public roads. ۔
The decision further states that the TMO has stated that the defendant (Samson Group) has been barred from collecting the taxes/charges levied on the premises already rented.
Samsung Group's lawyer argued that the government had leased the land to its client, and had entered into an agreement that would allow it to charge an entry fee.
According to Article 18 of the agreement, the hotel will be open to the general public and tourists during the lease period, including other facilities, including chairlifts and ski lifts.
The management further said that it is impossible to run the activities of the resort without entry fee/income and pay salaries and other benefits to more than 500 employees unless the company has an alternative solution to run the business or from the court. . The resort will be closed until further notice.
The management of Malam Jabba Resort has appealed to tourists not to bother to come here for other activities including cherry lift and zip line.
Other facilities including skiing and chairlift were launched at Malam Jabba Resort in 2014 while many fairs and skiing events have also been organized here.
