Muzaffarabad(Parliament.Times): Terming Azad Jammu and Kashmir as one of the most beautiful regions of theworld in terms of sheer natural beauty and hospitable climate, AJK PresidentSardar Masood Khan said promotion of tourism can put the state on the path ofself-reliance.He said that tourism sector in AJK has immensepotential to absorb large number of educated and youth in the job market bycreating mployment opportunities in the hospitality industry. He expressed these views after a briefing given tohim by Director General Tourism Sardar Javed Ayyub about the steps being takenby government to develop the tourism sector. Describing government’sdecision to construct 200 kilometers long Tourism Corridor from Saran in JehlumValley to Devi Galli in Poonch district as an important milestone, thePresident said that the corridor will have far reaching positive impacts on theeconomy of Azad Kashmir as it will connect important places of tourismattraction to one another through reliable roads network.
“All the places positioned along the corridor arefar away from Line of Control and, hence it will be the safest area for sightseersto visit and stay in peaceful and secured environment,” President Masood said.Saying that there are many countries in the worldwhose economy is solely depending on the income from tourism, the presidentsaid same can be achieved in Azad Kashmir by developing basic infrastructurefor the promotion of tourism. He said that government is in touch with Chineseofficials to get the project included in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
