'Tourism promotion, employment, growth of local economy will be on priority agenda'

Ch. Zulfkar Ali appeals people to support Party candidate for equitable infrastructural development

Rajouri May 03 (KNS):  Apni Party Vice President, and Contesting candidate for Rajouri – Anantnag Parliamentary seat, Zafar Iqbal Manhas on Saturday received a rousing reception at Soet on his way to Rajouri where thousands of people accompanied him in the cavalcade of hundreds of vehicles.

Amidst the sloganeering in favour of Manhas sahab and the Apni Party, the people accorded him grand reception at Soet - the entry point of Rajouri in which thousands of people accompanied his cavalcade towards Rajouri while passing through Nowshera, and other places in the town.

While heading for Rajouri where the main function was held, the people in large numbers welcomed the cavalcade of Zafar Iqbal Manhas sahab at various places starting from Nowshera to the Rajouri town.

Expressing his gratitude to the people for their faith in his candidature for the Rajouri – Anantnag Parliamentary seat, Zafar Iqbal Manhas assured the people that he would not disappoint them.

“My prime duty is to represent you without any partiality and ensure equal development in Pir-Panjal region,” he said, while ensuring them that their unfulfilled demands will be addressed for regional development, promotion of tourism, generating employment opportunities at the local level in the region to stop migration of the unemployed youth, bring economic stability, develop road infrastructure etc.

He said that he is personally concerned with the lack of development and non-representation of the region that has huge potential to generate employment with the development of tourism spots, its promotion on tourism maps, and protection of its heritage.

“The rich history of Rajouri – Poonch will be protected, and accordingly, a plan would be chalked out if I get elected to the Lok Sabha,” he said, and recalled how the people have extended their support to him because of the Party’s policy of equitable development and end to the discrimination.

He said that the Pir-Panjal has faced decades long neglect regarding many issues, but he will ensure that justice would be done with the region.

“If I get elected from this Parliamentary seat, it would be my utmost priority that Pir - Panjal get a separate Parliamentary seat. I feel that the people of the region should be represented by their own people, and their political aspirations should not be compromised at any cost. Hence, it’s our Party’s clear agenda that the region gets justice,” he said, while speaking on the occasion.

Similarly, he further stated that the Pir – Panjal region has huge potential for tourism but the lack of infrastructure needs improvement, and proper planning.

“It would be my second priority to ensure construction of two tunnels i.e., one at Dera Ke Gali and another at Pir Ke Gali so that the Mughal Road remains open throughout the year. The operationalization of the Mughal Road for a complete 12 months would attract more tourists to the region which has lush green meadows, snow capped mountains, Mughal architects, heritage buildings, forts, and other places,” he said.

He said that the Southern Part i.e., Shopian, Kulgam that links with the Pir Panjal is equally important to be developed and promoted on the tourism map for tourism promotion, generating employment, and to boost the local economy.

He said that the Poonch and Rajouri Districts have historic importance regarding its heritage and that needs to be protected, and promoted, besides, insisted on the importance of working on to protect historic literary work.

In reference to the Southern Part from Shopian, Kulgam up-to Pir Panjal, he said that the region’s water bodies and pastures would be developed on the pattern of Europe to promote tourism, to boost economy and generate employment at the local level to counter the migration of the people from the region for the search of employment outside Jammu and Kashmir.

He also said that “I am committed to work for the timely completion of the much-awaited Jammu - Poonch Railway Line that would provide the safest, and fastest travel to the people of this hilly region.”

Meanwhile, Vice President of the Party, and Former Minister, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali elaborated about the policy and agenda of the Party in his addressed and appealed to the people to rise above the caste, creed, religion, or region and support the Apni Party’s Candidate for the Rajouri – Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency, Zafar Iqbal Manhas sahab.

“Zafar sahab is a local candidate who personally knows about the difficulties being faced by the people. The people from all walks of life shall come out and support Zafar sahab so that he can do justice with the Region that remained neglected for decades,” he stated.

Provincial President of the Party from Jammu, S. Manjit Singh also spoke on the occasion and gave detailed insight about the Party’s policy of providing a representation to the people which would fight against the divisive forces, ensure unity, and brotherhood.

Senior Provincial Vice President, and Former MLA, Qamar Ali Choudhary, Additional General Secretary, Arun Chibber, SC State President Bodh Raj Bhagat, District President, Rajouri, Syed Manzoor Hussain Shah Bukhari, District President Rajouri Rural, Bushan Uppal, Syed Shafaat Bukhari (District President, Bandipora), Provincial President Jammu (Youth Wing), Vipul Bali, Vicky Sudan, Nissar Manhas, Manzoor Manhas, Jamat Ali Shaheen, Jalaj Choudhary, Ankush Dogra, Abhinav Gupta and others. (KNS)