KARACHI: The government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the Pakistan-administered region of disputed Kashmir, is considering opening up its picturesque landscape to foreign investors in the tourism sector, Raja Farooq Haider Khan, Prime Minister of AJK, told Arab News.
“We will hold roadshows and meetings with investors in London and Dubai to convince them to invest in the tourism sector, which has not been fully exploited yet,” Khan said.
He added: “We are upgrading road infrastructure, telephone, and Internet facilities for the ease of tourists.”
Khan said that his government had started laying the foundations, including necessary legislation for attracting foreign investors, and hoped that the sector would be self-sufficient as an industry within next three years.
“We are contemplating opening up the territory for winter tourism instead of only summer,” he said. “Private sector (investors) would be encouraged to invest in constructing hotels, guest houses and recreational facilities,” Khan added.
Giving the details of government’s plan to attract foreign investors, the chairman of new Kashmir Board of Investment, Sardar Naveed Sadiq, told Arab News that after necessary legal formalities the investors would be invited to invest in Kashmir.
“We are focusing on Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Bahrain as the temperature in these countries remains high. Our plan is to allocate them land for construction of tourist villages so that they could come in summer, not only with their families, but they could use the facilities for business,” Sadiq said.
Arab countries and investors played a vital role during the devastating earthquake of 2005, which killed around 90,000 people and destroyed the basic infrastructure in the region.
The Arab countries helped with rebuilding, constructing state-of-the-art health facilities in the quake-hit areas.
“They supported us with modern hospitals and buildings for schools, which had been destroyed in the earthquake,” Sadiq added.
“Our intention is to promote adventure tourism in the region,” he said, adding: “We are looking at the possible venues for construction of five-star hotels and chairlifts, so that every aspect of recreational activity is available to visiting tourists.”
Besides tourism, Kashmir officials have said that the area is open to investment in other sectors, including minerals and energy.
“The government is offering investment opportunities in the hydro sector as the energy needs are growing. Many hydro-electric power projects are in the completion phase while other are in the pipeline. There are many projects of 50MW and above where investment opportunities exist,” said Sadiq.
The issue of Kashmir has been unresolved since the sub-continent was partitioned in 1947 into Pakistan and India. Until the issue is resolved, land could not be bought by any Pakistani or Indian on either side of the disputed territory. “For the investment legislation could be done and we will allocate land on leased bases. It is not big deal,” Sadiq said, in reply to a question about the legal status of investment offer.
At present foreign tourists are not allowed to visit Kashmir without Islamabad’s permission. However, Kashmir officials have said that negotiations were underway to allow foreigners to visit the territory freely.
Pleasant weather conditions, lush green mountains and beautiful valleys offer beautiful view to the visitors. The area attracts more tourists during the summer period when temperature soars in plains of Pakistan.
Azad Kashmir to open tourism sector for foreign investors, PM Raja Farooq Haider
Azad Kashmir to open tourism sector for foreign investors, PM Raja Farooq Haider
- Arab investors would be invited to establish tourist villages in Kashmir after legislation, says Chairman Board of Investment
- AJK government contemplating winter and adventure tourism by upgrading basic infrastructure
Pakistan Association Dubai hosts climate action event to promote sustainable solutions
- Pakistan is counted among world’s Pakistan is counted among world’s most severely threatened countries due to climate change effects most severely threatened countries due to climate change effects
- Event brings together climate activists, advocates and youth leaders to discuss climate challenges
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) this week organized a climate action event in the city to promote sustainable solutions and highlight the dangers of deteriorating weather patterns, the Pakistani embassy in the UAE said.
The event on Friday was a collaboration between community climate action platform Extreme Hangout Dubai, social enterprise Earth Warriors and the Pakistan Youth Forum.
It featured climate advocates and members of the Pakistani community in the UAE, and Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai Hussain Muhammad.
“Pakistan remains committed to be part of the solution,” Muhammad was quoted as saying by the Pakistani embassy in UAE. “However, global solidarity, climate finance, and technology transfer are essential to tackling this crisis.”
The event featured entrepreneurial stalls showcasing innovative eco-friendly solutions, keynote speeches and panel discussions by experts, activists and youth leaders who engaged in insightful discussions on climate action strategies and the importance of collective efforts.
The event also included performances and artistic presentations highlighting the beauty of nature and the necessity of preserving it for future generations.
“The Consul General encouraged the Pakistani community in the UAE to act as global ambassadors for Pakistan’s climate challenges through storytelling, social media and community engagement to raise awareness and bring change,” the embassy’s statement said.
The South Asian country is counted among the most severely threatened countries in terms of climate–induced challenges, especially in the context of its dependency on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, water, natural resources and the environment, and socio-economic issues such as poverty.
Unusually heavy monsoon rains and melting of glaciers in June 2022 triggered flash floods across the country which killed over 1,700 people and dealt damages to critical infrastructure across the country.
Pakistan estimates damages from the floods to be around $33 billion.
Over 3,000 Pakistani, overseas athletes expected to take part in Islamabad Marathon today
- Marathon to feature five categories: full marathon, half marathon, children’s race, family race and senior race
- A prize money of Rs1 million [$3594] has been allocated for winners of all categories, says marathon organizer
ISLAMABAD: Over 3,000 athletes from Pakistan and abroad are expected to take part in a running marathon in Pakistan’s capital today, Sunday, state-run media reported.
Organized by the Islamabad Run With Us (IRU) running community in the capital, the marathon will feature five categories: a full marathon, a half marathon, a children’s race, a family race and a senior race.
The IRU says it has organized over 700 complimentary community events and numerous races, adding that it launched the Islamabad Marathon event in 2020.
“Founder of the Islamabad Run with Us community, Qasim Naz announced on Friday that the fifth Islamabad Marathon will take place on January 26, with the participation of over 3,000 athletes from across Pakistan and abroad,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
Naz said a prize money of Rs1 million [$3594] has been allocated for winners of all categories of the marathon.
The marathon kicked off at the city’s newly built Iran Avenue at 9:00 am. Its route includes the GT Road and runners will have to return to the starting point, the organizer said.
Naz said a pitch system would be introduced to ensure transparency, enabling real-time tracking of athletes and accurate identification of winners.
“He said that the purpose of organizing the event is to showcase Pakistan’s soft image and highlight the country’s beauty to the world,” APP said.
Naz said arrangements for medical and other facilities for participants have been made with cooperation from the district administration and police.
Pakistan says won’t risk rushing Saim Ayub’s recovery for Champions Trophy
- Saim Ayub was ruled out of competitive cricket for six weeks after suffering ankle injury this month
- Left-handed batter will enter recovery phase in a day or two, says PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that he will not risk injured batter Saim Ayub’s future by rushing his recovery for the sake of the multi-nation Champions Trophy tournament, which is scheduled to get underway in Pakistan and Dubai next month.
Ayub, one of Pakistan’s most in-form batters who helped the team secure a historic ODI series whitewash over South Africa in December, suffered a right ankle fracture while fielding in the second Test against South Africa this month.
The injury forced Ayub out of competitive cricket for six weeks, dealing Pakistan a massive blow before it hosts the multi-nation Champions Trophy tournament in February. Ayub is currently in London seeking treatment as Pakistan hopes the star batter recovers in time for the crucial tournament.
“I am in contact with Saim on almost a daily basis. His rehab is going on and god willing, the plaster on his foot will be removed in a day or two after which he will enter the recovery phase,” Naqvi told reporters.
“It will take time, I don’t want to put his future at risk because of one Champions Trophy.”
The PCB chairman said he was monitoring Ayub’s rehabilitation himself, adding that Ayub was Pakistan’s asset and would soon make a full recovery.
Pakistan will play the Champions Trophy tournament opener on Feb. 19 against New Zealand in the eastern city of Lahore.
Pakistan expresses desire to formulate joint plan to combat ‘terrorism’ with US
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met US lawmakers, investors in Washington this week to discuss bilateral issues
- Pakistan has faced a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan since November 2022
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that Islamabad wanted to formulate a comprehensive plan with American politicians to combat “terrorism,” amid Islamabad struggle to contain surging militant attacks on its soil in recent months.
Islamabad and Washington have shared a complicated history when it comes to bilateral ties. Both countries shared close defense and security cooperation in the past, particularly during the Cold War after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and post-September 11, 2001 attacks.
However, more recently, US officials criticized Pakistan for not sufficiently supporting their military efforts against the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks. Islamabad denies sheltering Taliban fighters and helping them regain control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Pakistan has faced a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan since November 2022, ever since its truce with the Pakistani Taliban broke down. Islamabad blames Afghan rulers for providing sanctuaries to militants to launch attacks against Pakistan, charges the Taliban government vehemently denies.
“See the main purpose of my visit this time [to the US] was to make a comprehensive plan against terrorism with the politicians here,” Naqvi told reporters in Washington.
Naqvi is in Washington where he met US lawmakers this week to hold talks on issues of bilateral concern between the two countries.
“The terrorism that we are suffering is not just our fight, it is everyone’s fight,” he added. “Both 2023 and 2024 were bad years for us but you will see that whosoever takes up arms against Pakistan will suffer a bad fate.”
On Saturday, the Pakistani interior minister visited the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington where he spoke to a delegation of the US-Pakistan Business Council.
Naqvi invited American investors to invest in Pakistan’s priority sectors, particularly in IT and minerals, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
“Talking to a delegation of the US-Pakistan Business Council during his visit to United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, he highlighted Pakistan’s mining and IT sectors have emerged as investors’ ultimate destination,” it added.
Citing Pakistan’s recent economic gains, Naqvi said the country is heading toward economic stability “rapidly,” adding that all economic indicators have improved.
Pakistan okays increase in gas prices for industries
- The decision aims to ensure required revenue for the gas sector during the fiscal year ending on June 30
- A cabinet committee turns down Petroleum Division summary to increase the tariff for domestic consumers
ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved an upward revision in gas tariff for industries, the Finance Division said on Saturday.
The development came after an ECC meeting to discuss a summary submitted by Petroleum Division for an upward revision of the indigenous gas tariff for industry, or captive power plants, as well as non-protected domestic slabs.
A captive power plant refers to an electricity generation facility owned and operated by a specific industrial or commercial entity to primarily power their own operations, rather than selling electricity to the public grid. It’s dedicated to supplying electricity solely for the needs of the company that owns it, like a large factory or industrial site, minimizing reliance on the national power grid.
While the committee approved a revision in prices for industrial consumers, it declined to increase the tariff for domestic consumers to protect them from additional burden, according to the Finance Division.
“The ECC, following a through discussion, decided to approve upward revision in gas tariff for captive power plants from Rs3,000 per mmbtu (metric million British thermal unit) to Rs3,500 per mmbtu to ensure required revenue for the gas sector during FY2024-25,” the Finance Division said in a statement.
Pakistan’s caretaker government increased the prices of natural gas by up to 67 percent for residential consumers in February 2024, in a bid to meet one of the key fiscal tightening conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a final review of its last bailout program, worth $3 billion, that helped saved the country from a default.
In August last year, Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik had said his government would keep the gas prices unchanged until winter months of December 2024 and January 2025, amid rising costs of living in Pakistan at the time.
Pakistan, which imports most of its energy needs, saw days of protests in July and August 2024 over the rising costs of living, mainly fueled by energy price hikes. The protests had prompted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to announce a three-month, Rs50 billion subsidy for electricity consumers using up to 200 units a month.
