Srinagar, May 28: In a determined effort to restore normalcy and revive the tourism sector following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will chair a crucial meeting on Wednesday at the renowned ski resort of Gulmarg. The meeting, scheduled for 12 noon, will bring together senior ministers, administrative officials, and top police authorities, as per a notice issued by the General Administration Department.
The gathering is part of the government’s broader strategy to send a strong message of resilience and security assurance in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, most of them tourists. Officials stated that by holding cabinet and administrative meetings outside the heavily-guarded Civil Secretariat, the government seeks to instill confidence among citizens and potential tourists.
Senior officials expected to attend the meeting in Gulmarg include the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone; the Deputy Inspector General, North Kashmir Range; and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, among others. This comes just a day after Chief Minister Abdullah convened a similar meeting of his Council of Ministers in Pahalgam, the very location of the recent attack.
Sources close to the administration emphasized that these outreach efforts are aimed at projecting Jammu and Kashmir as safe and welcoming, especially to the tourism industry, which is the backbone of the region’s economy. The meetings are symbolic of the government’s commitment to not be cowed down by terrorism and to showcase that life and development must go on undeterred.
As part of a multi-pronged initiative to rejuvenate tourism, the Jammu and Kashmir government is also hosting a delegation of tour operators and travel industry stakeholders from across the country. The aim is to encourage renewed engagement with the Valley’s tourism sector and reassure visitors about the steps being taken to enhance security and safety at all major travel destinations.
Officials added that Gulmarg, known globally for its winter sports and scenic beauty, was carefully chosen for the meeting to highlight the administration’s focus on promoting tourism even in the wake of adversity.