J&K Ex-CM Farooq Abdullah Visits Pahalgam, Boosts Tourist Morale News24 –

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah, engaged with tourists at the popular selfie point in Pahalgam, encouraging them to explore the beauty of Kashmir. Abdullah took the opportunity to capture memorable moments with visitors from various states, assuring them that the situation in the Valley has improved significantly and that there is no cause for concern.

The warm interactions with tourists not only uplifted spirits but also served as a reminder of the resilience of the Kashmiri people. Many tourists expressed their enjoyment of the destination, urging others to visit without fear. “Everything is safe here,” they noted, emphasising that those who are cancelling their travel plans should reconsider and experience the charm of Kashmir.

In addition to his interactions with tourists, Dr. Abdullah paid a heartfelt visit to the family of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a local hero who lost his life while saving the tourists during the tragic April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, mostly those of tourists. During this visit, he presented a one-month salary from the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Pahalgam, Altaf Kaloo, to Adil’s father, Hyder Shah, expressing solidarity and support in their time of grief. Hyder Shah thanked Dr. Abdullah and other leaders for their compassion and acknowledgement of their loss.

Addressing reporters, Dr. Abdullah also raised concerns regarding the Indus Water Treaty, highlighting the ongoing water crisis faced by Jammu despite the region’s abundant water resources. “We have been advocating for a review of the Indus Water Treaty for a long time,” he stated. “Jammu is facing immense hardships due to this Treaty. We do not seek to stop water flow to Pakistan; we simply want our fair share.”

He further discussed the power crisis in the J-K, asserting that Kashmir has the potential to generate thousands of megawatts of electricity from its rivers. “We cannot remain deprived of electricity; it’s essential to rectify these issues,” he added.

Dr. Abdullah further said that the recent attack had failed to intimidate the people. “The perpetrators of fear have lost,” he said. “Kashmir was and will always be a part of India.”