Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan has announced Rs 11.1 million funds for the promotion of tourism in the state.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of a tourist lodge at Pir Chinasi, off the AJK capital on Thursday, the premier said that his government has devised comprehensive plan to promote tourism in the state and generation of electricity through hydle means.
The endeavours, Sikandar added, are aimed at the economic stability of Azad Kashmir and eradication of unemployment through the state's own resources.
"The Azad region is gifted with colossal natural resources, exploitation of which demands collective approach," the premier said.
Referring to tourism, he said this industry suffered huge loss due to unabated Indian firing from across the Line of Control in the past.
"People's attention would be sought towards tourism development in the wake of current cease-fire," said the prime minister.
Sikandar said his government would strive to create an atmosphere where in tourist should not find themselves in any embarrassing situation.
"Forests are our best source of income and are central to the beauty of Azad Kashmir. But regretfully the deforestation was destroying this beauty," he said and added laws protecting forest would strictly be implemented.