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'Terror won't stop tourism in Kashmir': Omar Abdullah in Pahalgam  
The April 22 attack killed 26 people

'Terror won't stop tourism in Kashmir': Omar Abdullah in Pahalgam  

May 27, 2025
05:10 pm

What's the story

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a special Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, the picturesque town that was hit by a deadly terror attack last month, on Tuesday. This was the first time during the current term of Abdullah's government that a Cabinet meeting was held outside Srinagar or Jammu. The meeting was held with the aim of projecting normalcy and boosting tourism.

Tourism revival

Meeting aimed to boost tourism, project normalcy

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Abdullah said, "We did not come here just to tick off a government formality. We came here to give a strong message that terrorism and bloodshed will not stop tourism, happiness and development in Jammu and Kashmir." The chief minister also stressed on the need to keep tourism a "conflict-neutral" activity, given its importance to the local economy. He thanked those who stood up against terrorism and refused to be scared.

Economic lifeline

Abdullah emphasizes tourism's role in local economy

During the meeting, he also highlighted efforts to boost tourism. He said a group of Maharashtra tour operators is in Pahalgam and will also visit Srinagar. "What encourages us is that earlier the group was going to be 20-25 people... But, around 60 tour operators from Maharashtra have come to see how the travel and tour industry can be resumed here... I want to thank these people," he said.

Twitter Post

We've also come to thank all the tourists: Abdullah 

Meeting 

Cabinet will convene in Gulmarg

In continuation of this outreach, the Cabinet will convene in Gulmarg on Wednesday, with Jammu and Kashmir Inspector General of Police VK Birdi set to participate. These meetings are meant to lift people's spirits and reconnect the government with important tourism stakeholders in an area where almost 90% of bookings have been canceled since the April 22 attack.

Economic boost

Abdullah's appeal to boost Kashmir's economy

The Cabinet meeting comes days after Abdullah appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revive the Jammu and Kashmir tourism sector at the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting. He urged PSUs to hold official meetings in Kashmir and parliamentary committee sessions there, hoping this would boost the economy and public morale. "This is not about politics," he stressed during a recent Assembly speech.