04 August 2004	Wednesday	17 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 3: AJK President Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan has taken stock of the alleged degradation of the famous tourist resort of Pirchinasi and has sought a report from the government departments concerned on the matter , it has been learnt here on Tuesday.

Sources said that it had been brought in the president's notice that some government departments were disturbing the natural beauty of Pirchinasi and subsequently affecting the tourist flow in the 8,500-foot-high picturesque spot, located at an hour's drive from Muzaffarabad.

The president has particularly referred to the occupation of some 20 kanals of land and its fencing with the barbed wires by the Special Communications Organisation, Pakistan Air Force and AJK Police, terming it "inappropriate" with regard to promotion of tourism, sources said.

The president's office has asked the AJK Board of Revenue to clarify its position as to why these departments had seized the khalsa sarkar (crown land), sources said, adding that it had also been asked whether an official approval had been obtained by these departments for the possession of land and if not what steps had been taken on the irregular action.

Similarly, the Tourism Department has also been asked to brief the president's office on steps it has taken to prevent the alleged deterioration of the beauty of the tourist spot.