Congress General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Wednesday welcomed the visit of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs to Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a goodwill gesture that would help promote peace, stability, and tourism in the region.
Speaking to reporters, Mir said parliamentary committees regularly conduct such visits across the country and the current visit to Jammu and Kashmir is part of normal parliamentary functioning. He added that such engagements send a positive message about the prevailing situation in the Union Territory.
He said the presence of parliamentary panels helps improve the perception of Kashmir and supports efforts to boost tourism and economic activity.
“This is a process of Parliament. Different committees function across states. This is not the first time such a visit has taken place in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a goodwill gesture,” Mir said.
He further said that when parliamentary committees return after such visits, they act as “ambassadors of peace,” which contributes positively to the region’s environment and tourism prospects.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, is currently on a four-day study tour of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The committee is reviewing Indo-Pak and Sino-Indian relations, along with the functioning of passport services and Passport Seva Kendras.
During the visit, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also met the committee members and discussed various issues related to the Union Territory.
