In view of the spike in Covid-19 cases as well as the decisions of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government, the administration in Neelum valley has slapped a ban on the entry of tourists from July 19 to July 29.

A notification to this effect, issued by Deputy Commissioner Neelum, however, triggered strong anger among the people affiliated with the tourism industry in the picturesque valley who said it was the “worst manifestation” of the AJK government’s “double standards”.

The notification said the ban would apply to the whole of AJK but in particular to Neelum Valley where the number of visitors from across the country surpasses the rest of the territory owing to its breathtakingly beautiful tourist locations.

In their reaction to it, people affiliated with the tourism industry announced to stage a protest demonstration on July 15.