Pahalgam shining again, tourism must be promoted: Dr Farooq

Pahalgam, Sep 19: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said Pahalgam was “shining again” and stressed the need to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, while expressing hope that the ongoing conflicts in different parts of the world would end soon.
Abdullah was speaking at a golf course in Pahalgam where the Rotary International golf tournament was being held. He said the tournament had brought participants from Nepal, Malaysia, Dubai and different parts of the country to the resort town.
“It is a great blessing of Allah that Pahalgam has started to shine again,” Abdullah said, adding that it was fortunate that Rotary International had organised a golf tournament there.
He said he was happy to see the beauty of Pahalgam and the response of visitors who had come to the area.
Abdullah said tourism was central to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and called for greater efforts to promote the sector.
“We think that there is nothing without tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. And the more we promote it, the better it is for our people,” he said.
The Rotary Golf Tournament began in Srinagar on September 16 and its final match is being held at the Lidder Valley Golf Course in Pahalgam. Reports said the event has brought participants from India and abroad to the valley.
Asked about the prevailing global tensions and the possibility of a wider conflict, Abdullah said the ongoing wars were affecting the financial condition of countries and the global economy.
“It is a pity that these two wars are taking place in Ukraine, Iran, America and Israel,” he said, expressing hope that the conflicts would end soon.
Abdullah said the economic situation was deteriorating because of the wars, referring to disruptions affecting oil and gas supplies.
“Because of this, I think that the world wants this war to end and peace to return,” he said.
On the recent drone incident near Makkah, Abdullah said it was not clear who was responsible for the attack.
“The drone attack that took place in Mecca, it is not clear who did it,” he said, adding that the Houthis and Iran had denied responsibility.
“So someone else is running it,” Abdullah said.
He expressed hope that the conflict would end soon and peace would return to the region and the wider world.
Saudi Arabia has said its forces intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered restricted airspace. The Houthis have denied targeting Makkah. (KNS)