Park plan for Bin Laden death town

on 04/02/2013 19:56:42

A recreation complex is planned to be built in the town where al Qaida founder Osama bin Laden was killed by US commandos in 2011, Pakistani officials say.

The project in Abbottabad will have a zoo, paragliding club and water sports facilities. It will also have cultural heritage park

Syed Aqil Shah, sports and tourism minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said the development is not intended to counter Abbottabad's negative reputation following bin Laden's discovery there.

He said it's part of a revival of recreational and cultural activities in the province.

But Javed Iqbal Abbasi, a local politician, hoped the project will improve Abbottabad's image.

It will cost about £32 million (€37.3 million) and take five years to build. Construction will begin in a few weeks.