MUZAFFARABAD: (Parliament Times) The AJ&K legislative Assembly on Friday unanimously approved ordinance for promotion of tourism in the State.
It would open up new avenues for investment in tourism sector for intending investors under one window facilities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. After the approval of ordinance, the private sector would find lots of opportunities of investment in tourism.
Talking to journalists after the Assembly session Information Minister Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas said nature had gifted Azad Kashmir with scores of breathtakingly lovely landscapes, neat and clean atmosphere, lush green mountains and tourists’ destinations.
He said Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan is determined to fully exploit tourism sector for progress and prosperity of the State. Today’s legislation is a significant development and a milestone for the promotion of tourism, he added. It would provide great opportunity to the private investors to invest their capital in what has good prospect for growth.
“Under this ordinance tourism department could give land or building on lease to the interested parties. An administrative committee headed by minister for tourism has been constituted which would be called state tourism executive committee. It would ensure implementation of ordinance, rules, tourism and policy. All the proposals of projects would be sent by tourism department through project planning unit (PPU)” he said.
Minhas said executive committee would have powers of approval of lease period and agreements. The tourism projects for tourists include hotels, motels, residential houses, log cabins, guest houses, tourist huts, houses made of wood, camping sites, residential facilities for groups of tourists, rest houses, restaurants, and tents.
Tourism facilities would also include transport facilities, entertainment facilities, and adventure sports, he remarked.