CHITRAL, June 6: Due to mounting tensions between Pakistan and India, the tourism-related activities in the district have fallen to the lowest ebb as not a single foreigner can be seen in the city.

The programmes scheduled in connection with the International Year of Mountains (IYM) have also been postponed, as the foreigners cannot come here in the face of the prevailing tense situation on the borders.

The hoteliers are the worst affected who wait for their season, which commences from the mid-May every year as the foreigners throng here.

A good number of people derive their livelihood from the tourism industry and the present situation has rendered them jobless.

“I work for five months of the year and earn enough to support my family for the rest of the year,” said one Zerbali, who works as porter with the foreigners going on expeditions.

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