Rajouri, May 04: Apni Party Vice President and contesting candidate for Rajouri–Anantnag Parliamentary seat, Zafar Iqbal Manhas on Saturday assured the people that he would not disappoint them.
“My prime duty is to represent you without any partiality and ensure equal development in Pir-Panjal region,” he said while ensuring them that their unfulfilled demands will be addressed for regional development, promotion of tourism, generating employment opportunities at the local level in the region to stop the migration of the unemployed youth, bring economic stability, develop road infrastructure etc.
Manhas said he is personally concerned with the lack of development and non-representation of the region that has huge potential to generate employment with the development of tourism spots, its promotion on tourism maps, and the protection of its heritage.
“The rich history of Rajouri–Poonch will be protected, and accordingly, a plan would be chalked out if I get elected to the Lok Sabha,” he said and recalled how the people have extended their support to him because of the party’s policy of equitable development and end to the discrimination.
He said that the Pir-Panjal has faced decades-long neglect regarding many issues, but he will ensure that justice would be done with the region. “If I get elected from this Parliamentary seat, it would be my utmost priority that Pir-Panjal get a separate Parliamentary seat. I feel that the people of the region should be represented by their own people, and their political aspirations should not be compromised at any cost. Hence, it’s our Party’s clear agenda that the region gets justice,” he said.
Similarly, he further stated that the Pir-Panjal region has huge potential for tourism but the lack of infrastructure needs improvement, and proper planning. “It would be my second priority to ensure the construction of two tunnels i.e. one at Dera Ke Gali and another at Pir Ke Gali so that the Mughal Road remains open throughout the year. The operationalization of the Mughal Road for a complete 12 months would attract more tourists to the region which has lush green meadows, snow-capped mountains, Mughal architects, heritage buildings, forts, and other places,” he said.
“The Southern Part i.e. Shopian, Kulgam that links with the Pir Panjal is equally important to be developed and promoted on the tourism map for tourism promotion, generating employment, and boosting the local economy,” he added.
Manhas said the Poonch and Rajouri districts have historic importance regarding their heritage and that needs to be protected, and promoted, besides, insisted on the importance of working on to protect historic literary works.
Vice President of the Apni Party and former minister, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali elaborated on the policy and agenda of the party in his address and appealed to the people to rise above the caste, creed, religion, or region and support Zafar Iqbal Manhas.
“Zafar sahab is a local candidate who personally knows about the difficulties being faced by the people. The people from all walks of life shall come out and support Zafar sahab so that he can do justice with the Region that remained neglected for decades,” he stated.
Provincial President of the party from Jammu, S. Manjit Singh also spoke on the occasion and gave detailed insight about the Apni Party’s policy of “providing a representation to the people which would fight against the divisive forces, ensure unity and brotherhood”.
