Austrians invited to explore AJK

President Masood says 200km-long tourism corridor passing through all tourist sites under way

MIRPUR: Austrian Ambassador to Pakistan Brigitta Blaha on Saturday called on Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan at the President House and discussed matters of mutual interest.

On the occasion, the AJK president said Pakistan and Austria enjoyed friendly diplomatic relations which would be further strengthened through mutual efforts.

“AJK and Pakistan are on the cusp of an economic revolution,” he said and invited Austrian investors and entrepreneurs to explore new avenues for investment, especially in energy and the tourism industry.

The Austrian ambassador said that steps were being taken to explore opportunities in enhancing people-to-people ties between Austria and Pakistan in the fields of cultural and educational exchange programmes, trade and other spheres of the socio-cultural corporation.

The president informed the ambassador that AJK, with all its natural beauty, held massive potential for a full-fledged tourism industry.



“Tourism in AJK is still in its embryonic state and with the backing of the government, measures will be taken to encourage private investors in establishing quality motels, hotels, log huts, theme parks and organising guided tours for visitors coming to AJK,” he said.

He added that plans were underway to construct a 200 km long tourism corridor passing through all the tourist sites and districts including Muzaffarabad, Sudhan Gali, Lasdana, Toli Peer, Banjosa and others. He said the corridor would have the entire necessary infrastructure for attracting domestic and foreign tourists.

“Priority is being given to the development of the road network which would facilitate tourist traffic,” he said.