The PTDC motels in KPK are not run by PTDC any more. The federal Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation handed its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa properties to the provincial government in 2022, and in 2024 the province leased most of them out for 30 years to Green Tourism, a government-owned operator, to run and refurbish. If you are looking for "PTDC Motel Naran" or "PTDC Motel Kalam" online, this is why the booking process and the branding have changed.
What happened to PTDC motels in KPK
PTDC used to run a network of budget government motels across the north, built decades ago at low, fixed rates on good sites: riverside plots, town centres, viewpoints. Under the 18th Amendment, tourism became a provincial subject, and in March 2022 the federal government transferred around 17 to 19 of these motels in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the provincial tourism authority.
Many of the properties had fallen into disrepair and were losing money. In February 2024 the KP cabinet approved leasing 17 of them, for 30 years, to Green Tourism, a 100% government-owned company. The province keeps a 40% share of net profit and a joint board oversees the arrangement. In practice, this means the old PTDC signage is being replaced, some motels have been closed for renovation, and others are already open and taking bookings under the new operator.
Because this transition is still ongoing property by property, don't assume a motel you read about online is open, closed for refurbishment, or under new management without checking first.
Where are the government motels in KPK?
Government motels sit in most of the province's established tourist towns, including:
- Naran and Kaghan valley, on a large riverside plot in Naran itself
- Balakot, on the road up to Kaghan
- Kalam, overlooking the town in the Swat valley
- Swat, with properties in and around Saidu Sharif and Madyan
- Chitral, in the town centre, plus outlying motels such as Booni further up the valley
- Ayubia, in the Galiyat hills
Not every motel in every town is currently operating, and standards vary a lot between a recently renovated property and one still waiting its turn. If you want a government motel specifically, check availability for your exact dates rather than assuming a room is guaranteed.
How to book
Bookings now run mainly through Green Tourism rather than the old PTDC reservation offices. You can reach them by phone or WhatsApp, or through their booking site, which lists which properties are currently open and takes reservations directly. For a property still under PTDC or provincial management, a phone call to the local tourism office is more reliable than an old blog post with a Naran number that may no longer be answered.
Whichever route you use, confirm three things before you travel: that the property is open, the room type and rate for your dates, and whether you need to pay a deposit in advance or simply arrive and pay on-site, which is still common outside peak season.
What to expect
Government motels are built for function rather than comfort. Rooms are usually simple, twin or double, with an attached bathroom and a plain, no-frills feel. Some sites have separate huts or cottages as well as standard rooms, and a few have a small restaurant on-site, though not always open outside the summer season. Heating in the shoulder months and winter is worth asking about specifically, since not every property has reliable heaters or a properly insulated room.
What you are paying for is usually the location: a large plot by the river in Naran, a hillside view in Kalam, a central spot in Chitral. If the setting matters more to you than the finish of the room, they are worth considering.
Government motels vs private hotels
For a family that wants a predictable, modern room with reliable wifi and heating, a private hotel or guesthouse in the same town is usually the better choice, and there are now plenty in Naran, Kalam and Chitral. Government motels suit travellers who care more about a good plot of land than furnishings, who are flexible on standard, and who want a fallback option in a town where private hotels are full during a long weekend or Eid.
Given the renovation programme under way, it is also worth checking whether a particular motel has already been refurbished. A newly reopened Green Tourism property can be a genuinely good, fairly priced option; one still waiting its turn may be tired and basic.
If you are planning where to stay across a longer trip rather than one town, our trip planning guide covers how to sequence stops through KPK, and our guides to hotels in Naran, hotels in Kalam and hotels in Chitral cover the private options in each town if a government motel isn't available.
Frequently asked questions
Are PTDC motels in KPK still called PTDC?
Some signage and older listings still say PTDC, but the properties are provincial assets now, and most are being run day-to-day by Green Tourism under a long-term lease. Expect the branding to keep changing as more motels are handed over and renovated.
Can I book a government motel in KPK online?
For properties already transferred to Green Tourism, yes, through their booking channels by phone, WhatsApp or website. For motels still in an earlier stage of the handover, a direct phone call to the local tourism office is more reliable than an online booking form.
Are government motels cheaper than private hotels?
They were historically priced below private hotels, but rates have been rising as properties are renovated, so the gap has narrowed. Compare the current rate for your dates rather than assuming a fixed discount.
Do government motels in KPK have hot water and heating?
Most have hot water in season, but heating and insulation vary a lot by property and by how recently it has been renovated. Ask specifically if you are travelling outside summer.
Which government motels in KPK are open right now?
This changes as the renovation programme continues, so check directly with the current operator for the specific town you're visiting rather than relying on an older list.
