MUZAFFARABAD: The newly installed Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has decided to take measures to attract investment, revive closed industrial units and increase state revenue by making better use of available resources.

The decision was announced by Minister for Tourism, Industries, Trade, Labour and Mineral Resources Chaudhry Abdul Rehman Arain during a departmental briefing here on Wednesday.

The minister, a UK-based businessman himself, called for removing unnecessary hurdles faced by investors and simplifying the process of setting up businesses to create a conducive environment for local and foreign investment.

“I personally know many Kashmiri people, both here and abroad, who are

interested in investing in their homeland, but what deters them is the proverbial bureaucratic red tape. If we can facilitate potential investors through a one-window operation, I am sure many of them will be willing to plough money into the businesses here,” he said.

Talking to Dawn after the briefing, Mr Arain said AJK offered considerable investment opportunities in various sectors and he would ask the departments concerned to prepare working papers identifying such opportunities.

He said tourism had the greatest potential for investment and he would shortly seek a detailed briefing from the department to explore ways of developing the sector.

“The public sector in our state is already overburdened and can no longer provide sufficient employment opportunities. We have to empower the private sector to share this responsibility,” he said.

During the briefing, Mr Arain directed the department to take steps to revive closed industrial units and plants, saying new investors should be given opportunities where existing investors failed to make them operational within the stipulated period.

He said inactive industrial assets could be brought into productive use to generate employment opportunities and contribute to the state’s economy. The minister called for effective utilisation of industrial land and other public resources to increase state revenue.

He also sought a comprehensive strategy for creating employment opportunities for young people and promoting industrial development. He said all government institutions would have to work together for the development of the state and welfare of its people.

Earlier, Prime Minister’s Secretary Sardar Adnan Khurshid, who continues to hold the Industries, Trade, Labour and Mineral Resources portfolio, briefed the minister on the department’s performance and various matters. Other officials were also present.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2026