ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Senate Standing Committee on Interior has asked Ministries of Interior and Tourism to jointly work out a Plan of Action to promote tourism in the Northern Areas for benefit of the local population.

The committee, which met with Senator Mohammad Talha Mehmood in the chair, said foolproof security arrangements for tourists should be made and recreational and historical places of the Northern Areas should be highlighted through media.

The committee members, stressing the importance of Northern Areas, said the problems confronting the people and institutions of the area should be resolved and more incentive packages introduced to bring socio-economic improvement in the life of the people.

According to a press release issued here, the meeting which took place at NA-Scouts Headquarters in Gilgit reviewed in detail the performance and mode of operation of the NA-Scouts.

The committee noted that NA-Scouts were working for establishment of peace besides defending the geographical boundaries of the country, and called for a focus on imparting training to its men and providing more perks and privileges to them.

The committee said the NA-Scouts should be given special funds for the completion of its important projects. The committee suggested that the local people should be given priority during inductions in the security agencies operating in the Northern Areas.

The committee members also visited the under-construction headquarters of the NA-Scouts.

The committee members senators Hameedullah Jan, Rehmatullah Kakar and Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, director-general NA-Scouts and other high officials also attended the meeting.