PEOPLE from all over the country tend to visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the summer months and Eid, using the land route to Neelum Valley via Rawalpindi and Murree. Resultantly, the route is often very crowded during this season which detracts from tourists’ enjoyment.

As a resident of AJK, I believe we ought to promote tourism and develop tourist facilities in other parts of AJK to minimise overcrowding in Neelum Valley and allow visitors to discover other parts of this area.

For instance, the valley of Bagh is blessed with many scenic sites for tourists to appreciate. The approach to Bagh district is through Kohala via a road that was reconstructed after the 2005 earthquake, and is only a few hours’ drive from Murree. Now that the road is in better condition, the only improvement required to make Bagh a tourist attraction is the addition of some parks and hotels. Besides distributing tourists more evenly over AJK, it will generate jobs for the locals of Bagh and stimulate the local economy.

Muhammad Awais Nawaz

Bagh, Azad Jammu Kashmir

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2017