MIRPUR (AJK): AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan Wednesday said a new ordinance had been enforced in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) for encouraging and promoting investment.
Addressing a meeting of Overseas Commission, he said under the ordinance a one-widow operation would provide much better facilities to the overseas Kashmiris and intending investors.
The investors would be allotted the required land for the purpose of tourism within 40 days of the date their request, he added.
Haider said he believed that the new ordinance would bring about a revolution in the tourism sector in the state. The Overseas Commission would be made more effective and proactive through amendment in the ordinance, he added.
The prime minister said the AJK government had formulated a comprehensive policy for the promotion of tourism. Under the policy, 500 tourism resorts had been identified in Azad Kashmir, which would be leased out to the investors, he added.
He said the process of lease, through proper bidding, would be completed within 40 days. “
“The investors will initiate the business on the land acquired on lease within stipulated time under the policy. They will ensure tree plantation, tree’s protection and the construction friendly atmosphere. Natural beauty of the AJK will not be compromised at any cost,” he maintained.
The meeting also decided that the government would provide necessary office accommodation and staff to the Overseas Commission as per their requirement where overseas Kashmiris would be provided facilities under one window operation.
AJK ministers Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, Noreen Arif, Secretary Finance ,and Secretary Industry and Trade attended the meeting.
Later addressing the Board of Investment meeting, Haider said employment opportunities would be created at local level under investment and tourism policies. He said restriction of no-objection certificate for foreign tourists was being waived which would promote international tourism in the state.
APP