Tourism cannot prosper without peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir, said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday even as the Valley has been badly hit by the shutdown called by separatists' leaders.
Asserting that peace and stability has been volatile in the Valley as tension has escalated between India and Pakistan after the Pathankot terror attack, Mehbooba said despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's best efforts, his counterpart Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has not been responsive to his calls.
"When we talk about dialogue process, the biggest way to initiate that between people of Jammu and Kashmir and others is through tourism," Mehbooba said.
"Prime Minister Modi took so many bold steps. He went to Lahore, but then Pathankot happened, but despite that we have to make efforts, because if we want development and peace in Jammu and Kashmir. We should initiate Vajpayee's vision otherwise there is no option," she added.
Business in the Valley has come to a complete halt since July this year and continued shutdown of schools has adversely affected students.
Curfew has been imposed and separatist leaders were detained in the Valley on Friday due to fears of fresh protests as shutdown continued for the 126th day.
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