MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq on Sunday said that the construction of quality roads was a key driver for promoting tourism, which was a top priority for his government.

“Tourism will thrive with improved road infrastructure, and the highways department has been given 15 days to enhance the quality of roads,” he said during a brief media talk in Kel, located 156 kilometres northeast of here, in the upper belt of Neelum Valley.

He claimed that his government had reallocated Rs1.67 billion from other areas of the state to be invested in Neelum Valley, in what underscored the significance it placed on this major tourist hub.

In addition to upgrading the main artery running through the valley, link roads leading to some popular high-altitude resorts will also be improved to better accommodate nature enthusiasts, he added.

The AJK premier also reassured the public of the swift completion of the district headquarters hospital building in Athmuqam, along with the provision of essential staff and medical equipment. Mr Haq further declared that building codes will be enforced within 15 days to curb unregulated construction across the state, particularly in tourist hotspots like Neelum Valley.

It was PM Haq’s second visit to Neelum Valley within a short period, and he vowed that even if ten visits were required to ensure the timely and high-quality completion of road and healthcare projects, he would willingly make them.

“I want to reiterate that there will be no compromise on quality. This state can no longer afford the wastage or misuse of its financial resources. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that these resources are used transparently for the welfare and prosperity of the people,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2024