AJK to open 3-day summer tourism festival on 27th

MIRPUR: Preparations are afoot for the three-day Summer Tourism Festival, which will be inaugurated by Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on April 27 here at the Asifa Bhutto Park.

The festival is being organised by the Tourism Department in cooperation with the Mirpur District Administration and other departments. Addressing a press conference here at the Kashmir Press Club, Minister for Sports Chaudhary Muhammad Saeed said that the festival would provide healthy entertainment and recreation to the tourists and families from across the state with prime focus to encourage and promote the local tourism.

Information and Tourism Secretary Midhat Shehzad was also present on the occasion. The minister said that the festival was aimed at acquainting the young generation with the centuries-old cultural heritage of the Kashmiri state. He said that the grand gala to be free of charge for all visitors.

Horse and cattle show, trade exhibition of homemade products, including the Kashmiri handicrafts, cultural show depicting the Kashmiri folk songs, besides the national songs, book festival, exhibition of the pictures, marathon race, mystic poetry, boating, cricket and football matches besides the local sports would be the hallmark of the festival.

The minister said that various committees had been formed to design and manage the events of the festival in a befitting manner. He said that the government was acting upon an integrated plan through launching various projects for the uplift of tourism in the area. The festival would prove to be a step forward for the speedy promotion of tourism.

Midhat said that the integrated tourism uplift plan involved the construction and renovation of the state-run rest houses for tourists at various scenic places, including tourist hub in the state. She said that most conducive atmosphere coupled with huge natural resources and the scenic terrain was available in the state and the government had started rapid implementation of the master plan in order to attract investment.