S. A Haidri
Islamabad: A high level meeting for the advancement of Tourism and protection of Archeology under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan was held here on Monday.
Senior Member Board of Revenue AJK Fayyaz Ali Abbasi, Secretary Forests Syed Zahoor ul Hassan Gillani, Secretary Tourism Midhat Shehzad, Director General Tourism Sardar Javed Ayub and other pertinent officers were also present in the meeting.
It was decided in the meeting that international consultants will be hired for the maintenance and improvement of historical buildings including ancient Neelum Red Fort to enhance tourism in the region besides protection of natural heritage.
Proposals and suggestions were also considered in the meeting regarding promotion of Tourism in the State and one Window operation has been decided to overcome hurdles regarding tourism in addition of the provision of legal entitlement for Public Private Partnership in the State.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister stated that Tourism corridor is a 10 billion rupees project including private investment of 3 billion rupees, “investment of private sector to boost tourism is encouraging” he maintained.
He reiterated that incumbent government will provide all the facilities to investors and development in tourism sector will create more employment opportunities for the masses living in AJK, saying that complete legal protection will be given to private investors to ensure their safety.
PM AJK exhorted that all the projects regarding development of tourism sector must be initiated before long keeping in view the protection measures for environment.
“Internationally trained experts will be appointed for the improvement and maintenance of old historical places, momentarily a State of the Art Museum will be established in Azad Kashmir” PM AJK added.
He added that this museum will comprised of significant and archeological assets of the State.