ISLAMABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi on Saturday invited the business community of the federal capital to invest in tourism, mines and minerals, hydel power and other sectors in the region.

Addressing the business community at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, (ICCI), Mr Niazi asked business persons to visit Azad Kashmir and assured them that his government would provide every possible facility to them.

“Steps are being taken to develop tourism in Azad Kashmir, and in this connection an authority is being set up to expand the sector’s potential in the state,” the AJK prime minister said, adding that investment in Azad Kashmir would put the region on the path of development and prosperity.

He said far-reaching reforms were being introduced to improve the lives of people and the government was giving special incentives for development of tourist destinations from Ganga Choti to Tao Butt.

Says steps being taken to expand tourism’s potential in region

Mr Niazi said a new special economic zone (SEZ) was planned in Azad Kashmir under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in addition to Mirpur and Bhimber economic zones. “Investors of this region should benefit from these facilities,” he said.

He also spoke about the 76-year-old issue related to India-held Kashmir and thanked the Pakistani leadership, nation and diaspora for observing Kashmir Solidarity Day this year with unprecedented zeal and fervour to send a strong message to the world community.

AJK Board of Investment Chairman Sardar Amjad Jalil assured the business community that he would keep in touch with the ICCI and extend maximum facility to business persons to enable them to benefit from the investment opportunities in Azad Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Mohammad Shakeel Munir asked the AJK government to offer attractive incentives to business people as many members of the chamber were keen to go for joint ventures and invest in Azad Kashmir and contribute towards the economic development of the region.

He reiterated that the business community of Pakistan would continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir till the time they get their right to self-determination.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2022