Tourism the biggest industry in the world: Woking Mayor Raja

MUZZAFARABAD: In a concerted effort to invigorate the burgeoning tourism industry in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, a distinguished 10-member delegation hailing from Great Britain, under the leadership of Mayor Muhammad Ilyas Raja of Woking, England, extended its gracious hospitality to a gathering of influential journalists, civil society luminaries, and other notable dignitaries.

This gala affair, which unfolded at a local establishment in the scenic town of Muzaffarabad, carried the central message of collective engagement and commitment towards catalysing tourism and ensuring the provision of world-class amenities at the region’s enchanting tourist locales.

Among the illustrious members of the delegation were renowned business stalwarts from Woking, including Sabir Hussain, Sajid Mehmood, Abdul Ghafoor, Raja Sakhawat Khan, Barkat Hussain, Zameer Butt, Alfat Mehmood, Kamran Hussain, Zafar Iqbal, and Imran Malik. Their distinguished guests for the evening included President of the Press Club Hattian Bala Ajaz Ahmad Meer, Secretary General Mubarak Hussain Awan, Hammad Khursheed Khawaja, Saeed Qureshi, and Muzam Zafar.

Mayor Muhammad Ilyas Raja, a figurehead renowned for his resolute connection to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, articulated his profound aspirations for these regions to thrive on par with Britain. He underscored the indispensable necessity of fortifying the infrastructure at tourist destinations, decrying the current state of underdeveloped amenities amidst the backdrop of nature’s opulence. The Mayor passionately implored the authorities to promptly address these deficiencies to rectify the negative impression foreign tourists often encounter.

Acknowledging tourism as the world’s foremost economic driver, Mayor Raja laid particular emphasis on addressing concerns related to human rights, law enforcement, and the judicial system to secure international trust.

Sabir Hussain, an esteemed business magnate, seized the opportunity to convey a poignant message. He championed the principles of ethical conduct, rooted in Islamic teachings, as the conduit to lasting prosperity. Mr. Hussain underscored the pressing need for administrative efficiency and a steadfast adherence to the rule of law, which are quintessential to charting a prosperous course.

Mayor Muhammad Ilyas Raja further underscored the importance of fiscal prudence, drawing parallels to the British High Commissioner’s minimalist approach to governance. He juxtaposed this frugality with the current excesses in governmental expenditures, particularly in the allocation of resources for luxury vehicles. The Mayor emphasised that such fiscal discipline ultimately serves the broader welfare of the populace.

Concluding this august gathering, President of the District Press Club Hattian Bala Ajaz Ahmad Meer, along with other luminaries, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Muhammad Ilyas Raja and the distinguished business delegation from Woking for their unwavering dedication to championing Pakistan’s interests. It is their fervent hope that the sentiments and insights shared during this gathering will serve as a catalyst for positive reforms and enhancement in Pakistan’s burgeoning tourism sector and governance framework.