Terming Budha Amarnath Yatra as a symbol of secularism and communal harmony, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said that Peer Panchal region is a land of sufis and saints and people in these twin districts have always maintained the age old tradition of communal harmony and brotherhood.The Minister said this while taking stock of the arrangements put in place for Annual Budha Amarnath ji Yatra here at Poonch today.The Minister said that on this land of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, Sh. Nangali Sahib and Budha Amarnath, the people have always continued the tradition of spreading communal harmony and peace. Appreciating the local inhabitants for extending their cooperation for arrangements of Budha Amarnath Yatra, the Minister said that such cooperation between all communities and administration is highly laudable which will act as a torch bearer for other regions also.Earlier, District Development Commissioner Poonch who is also the Chairman of Budha Amarnath Yatra trust apprised the meeting that the adequate arrangements have already been put in place by district administration enroute from Bimber Gali to Budha Amarnath for the hassle free yatra including drinking water, power supply, sanitation, medicare ,traffic, and foolproof security arrangements for yatris. During the meeting, the members of Budha Amarnath samiti expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the district administration.The Minister instructed Tourism department to ensure proper publicity of pilgrim tourist destinations and explore these areas for boosting pilgrimage tourism.
Later, in another meeting while reviewing developmental activities in Poonch the Minister said that government is committed for overall development of all the regions of the state. Recalling the commitment and vision of former Chief Minister late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Mr Zulfkar said that peer panjal region will be taken forward with same zeal, as he wanted to make Poonch as the gate way of Jammu and Kashmir.He added that Baba Ghulam Shah Budshah University, Mughal road are the biggest gifts of Late Mufti sahib for this region and it was the efforts of our great leader that trade was started in this part of the state. He added that this vision of Mufti sahib will be carried forward for prosperous Peer Panjal region.Expressing satisfaction over developmental activities in Poonch Zulfkar said that Government will appreciate those officers who will perform better and take strict action against non performing officers.While reviewing availability of ration in Poonch, the Minister said that government is contemplating to construct high tech store for dumping ration in the district.He further said that soon 251 FPS will be opened in Poonch district which will provide employment to the un employed youth. He also informed that department has increased commission for dealers to Rs.143per qtl. He pressed upon the concerned agencies to ensure proper LPG supply in poonch and appealed the people to come forward and avail benefits under Prime Minister Ujwala Yojana(PMUY).The meeting was attended by MLA Haveli Shah mohammad Tantary, MLA Surankote Ch. Mohd. Akram, MLC Yashpal Sharma , District Administration Poonch, DIG Rajouri/ poonch, Director Food and civil supplies, SSP Poonch, Prominent citizens and representatives of Dashnami Akhara Poonch and Budha Amarnath and Imam of Jamia Masjid Poonch Moluna Farooq Misbhai.