MUZAFFARABAD: (Parliament Times) The AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan inaugurated the two-day Kashmir Festival organized by AJK Kashmir Academy.
Renowned artists from Pakistan and AJK would perform in the festival. Paragliding and local sports would also be part of the festival. Different AJK departments have set up their stalls in the festival.
Speaking on the occasion the Premier said AJK remained center of primitive traditions. He said Kashmir culture has its own identity and recognition adding that it would be introduced over the globe in a bid to promote tourism.
He reiterated that AJK was one of the most peaceful states of the country. He said local sports would also generate great interest among the tourists. Such festivals would be held in other districts of the
State, he added. He acknowledged that Kashmir academy was playing great role in promoting the Kashmiri culture.
The Prime Minister said budget would be enhanced for promotion of tourism. Government was taking measures to provide better facilities to the international tourists which would visit the state first time as a tourist, he remarked. Promotion of tourism would bring more revenue to the State which would warrantee prosperity, he stated.
Mr. Haider observed that tourism was one of the major income generating sources for many countries hence prosperity largely depends on it. He said government was observing this year as the year of tourism. He expressed hope that maximum number of tourists would take to Neelum Valley and Poonch, two districts that are more known for their beauty and tourism. AJK’s culture and customs would surely attract the tourists, he hoped. He went round different stalls set up by various departments in the festival.
Meanwhile State Emergency Commission meeting was held chaired by the Prime Minsiter. The meeting decided to set up emergency relief funds and extend the parameter of rescue 1122 to all the districts of the state. It also decided to elaborate the procedure of regularizing employees in the light of judgement of court, relief activities during and after a natural calamity, emergency relief, providing all necessary resources for rescue operations and setting up commission anew.
Addressing the meeting Mr. Haider said the role of emergency in natural disasters and incidents is of great significance. He said aid institutions gave a tremendous job after people living close to LoC were targeted by Indian firing. He said government would provide necessary resources for emergency training and capacity building. AJK faced scores of natural disasters, he remarked. Given the formation of our region we could also face more disasters in the time to come, he stated.