Town where bin Laden was killed plans amusement park

The town of Abbottabad, Pakistan, is known for holding former al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's hideout before he was killed by U.S. Navy Seals. Now, the town hopes to become known for paragliding and a zoo.

Officials for the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced plans for a 50-acre amusement park in Abbottabad featuring a wildlife zoo, heritage park and waterfalls. Tourism and sports minister, Syed Aqil Shah told Sky News the park will be expanded to 500 acres of land after it's built in about eight years.

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The Guardian reports the park will also feature a mini golf course and rides, including a rollercoaster if one MP gets his way, according to the Guardian.

However, Shah denied the amusement park is meant to improve the town's image from a harbourer of terrorists to a haven of jogging trails and restaurants.

He said this has nothing to do with Osama bin Laden; the government is trying to welcome tourists province-wide and Abbottobad's development is no exception.

This isn't a bin Laden death attraction, either. The compound where bin Laden hid from authorities will have been long gone when the park opens because authorities demolished it last year, fearing al Qaeda followers would visit.

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Nonetheless, locals told the Guardian the park will bring a nice change to Abbottabad's tarnished image.