Punjab CM announces Blind Dolphin Resort at Taunsa Barrage

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the opening of the Blind Dolphin Resort at Taunsa Barrage in Kot Addu, built on the bank of the Indus in the habitat of the endangered Indus River dolphin.

The chief minister made the announcement in a post on X, inviting visitors to picture morning tea beside the river while the dolphins surface in the water. Daily Times reported that she described the resort as a significant addition to the province's tourism attractions and as an initiative to promote eco-friendly tourism.

The site covers more than 120 kanals along the River Indus and was developed by the Punjab Tourism Department under the chief minister's "Magnificent Punjab" tourism programme, according to Daily Times. The paper reported that the facility was designed to international tourism standards and combines accommodation, river views, dining and a focus on wildlife conservation.

Facilities listed by Daily Times include cottages with traditional stone craftsmanship, rooms facing the river, gardens, open-air dining, boating, family recreation areas and a mosque.

The resort sits inside the natural habitat of the Indus River dolphin. Officials say it is meant to give visitors a close view of the species and to raise awareness about its conservation, while encouraging responsible tourism in the area.

The two reports gave different names for the facility. APP called it the TDCP Blind Dolphin Resort. Daily Times called it the PTDC Blind Dolphin Resort and reported that it was built by the Punjab Tourism Department. Neither report gave an opening date or a cost for the project.

Separately, Daily Times reported that Maryam Nawaz praised the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court for action against those involved in forging court fee stamps, which the chief minister said cost the national exchequer Rs1.5 billion. She said the action was commendable and that the judiciary and administration working together against corruption was a welcome sign. She thanked the chief justice for her cooperation.