AJK To Emerge As Strong Tourists Hub: Raja Mohammad Farooq Haider Khan

Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Raja Mohammad Farooq Haider Khan has said that forests are the assets of our state and considered to be the backbone of tourism sector besides echo friendly environment, trees immense cutting and smuggling is intolerable.

MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Feb, 2018 ) , :Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Raja Mohammad Farooq Haider Khan has said that forests are the assets of our state and considered to be the backbone of tourism sector besides echo friendly environment, trees immense cutting and smuggling is intolerable.

He expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of reforestation on Saturday. Minister for Forest Sardar Mir Akbar, Minister for Works Chaudhry Muhammad Aziz, Minister for Industries and Social Welfare Noreen Arif, Member Legislative Assembly Dr Mustafa Bashir, Secretary Forests and other prominent officers along with media representative were also present on the occasion.

The AJK prime minister said deforestation at huge scale causes climate change, incumbent government have allocated 1,400 million rupees in this regard to curb seasonal changes by afforestation, "It is ensured that all hydro power projects companies working within the state will allocate some percentage of the budget for environment friendly measures," he asserted.

Farooq Haider said there is a dire need for further improvement in the forest department. There is no any problem of resources, saying that the forestry not only keeps our environment clean but it is also our need to maintain the state's beauty for the enhancement of tourism.

"We are facing imbalanced biological diversity and disturbance in echo system because of cutting woods on large scale, one should use wood wisely and specially the forest department must consider merit at recruitment" he exhorted.

He said masses should invest on trees as their coming generation will take benefit from it.

he said, "Forests are the assets of the state, incumbent government has initiated to plant new trees on 28 thousand aces land and I invite all civil society members and media workers to monitor this process of reforestation" "I will not allow anyone to occupy the land of the forests, no one is allowed to occupy state resources," Prime Minister cautioned.

Talking on abolishing of Kashmir Council, he expressed that relations between Kashmir and Pakistan will become more strengthen when AJK will have more authority. "If Kashmir Council will be abolished, then the pertinent authority will be the government of AJK and we will remain no stone unturned for public service." He said.

"I believe that after passing the bill of Finality of Prophet Hood (SAWW) in the assembly, God may give us the strength and wisdom to work efficiently and our work will become easy," he prayed.

Farooq Haider said the legislators have the authority to make decision regarding constitution rather than employees and it is our commitment that not a single office bearer of Kashmir council would remain un-employed.

Minister Azad Kashmir said the workers of Kashmir Council take salaries from the people of Azad Kashmir, they should think before going on protest, "Azad Kashmir would be more stable and strengthen after the amendment in Interim Constitution Act 1974, we will not let any employee of Kashmir Council jobless." AJK PM admired the endeavors of Pakistan PM for the state, and said Shahid Khaqaan Abbasi also ordered to give water usage charges equal to Tarbela besides amendments in Interim Constitution Act 1974.