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News18
02-05-2025
- News18
Tourists Flee Scenic Pakistani Valley Amid 'Risk Of War' With India Over Pahalgam Attack
Last Updated: Local businesses are reporting a sharp decline in visitors and widespread cancellations due to fears of an impending conflict between the two neighbours Just less than three kilometres from the Line of Control (LoC) on the Pakistan side, Neelum Valley is facing a severe blow to tourism as the threat of war between India and Pakistan grows, following the terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam. The scenic valley, located in northern Pakistan, typically attracts around 3,00,000 tourists each summer. However, this season, local businesses are reporting a sharp decline in visitors and widespread cancellations due to fears of an impending conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Last week, terrorists killed 26 people—mostly men—in the resort town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. The attack has heightened tensions, with India blaming Pakistan for the incident—a charge Pakistan has denied. Hotel owners, tour operators, and shopkeepers say the usual tourist rush has vanished. Many visitors have cancelled their trips, while new bookings have almost come to a halt. Local businesses that depend on tourism—such as guest houses, transport services, and souvenir shops—are struggling to cope with the sudden decline. Speaking to The Associated Press, hotel owner Rafaqat Hussain said the situation has severely impacted the local tourism industry. 'Most tourists have left and returned to their cities because there is a risk of war," he said. Following the terror attack, India temporarily closed dozens of tourist resorts as a precaution. However, no similar directive was issued by Pakistani officials. In the Pakistani border town of Chakothi, bazaars remained open, though residents expressed concern over the rising tensions. Saiqa Naseer, also from Chakothi, shuddered at the childhood memories of frequent firing across the border. 'Now, as a mother, I find myself facing the same fears," she said. She remembered Indian shells striking the picturesque valley when the two countries came close to war in 2019. She has a bunker at her home. 'If war comes, we will stay here. We won't run away," she said. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Pakistan First Published:
New Indian Express
02-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Threat of Indian strike empties a scenic valley in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir of summer tourists
Neelum Valley is less than 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the Line of Control, the de facto border that divides the two nations, making it vulnerable to any military activity. Hotel owner Rafaqat Hussain said Thursday the crisis has hit the tourism industry hard. "Most tourists have left and returned to their cities because there is a risk of war." Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir temporarily shuttered 48 tourist resorts following the attack as a precaution. No such order has come from Pakistani authorities. Bazaars in the Pakistani border town of Chakothi were open for business, although people were concerned. "First of all, our prayer is for peace, as war always affects civilians first," shop owner Bashir Mughal told The Associated Press, saying he would fight alongside the army in the event of conflict. Pakistan used to help residents to build bunkers near their homes during periods of intense cross-border firing. But the population has grown and some homes lack shelters. "Local casualties could be devastating if war breaks out," Mughal warned. Saiqa Naseer, also from Chakothi, shuddered at the childhood memories of frequent firing across the border. "Now, as a mother, I find myself facing the same fears,' she said. She remembered Indian shells striking the picturesque valley when the two countries came close to war in 2019. She has a bunker at her home. "If war comes, we will stay here. We won't run away," she said.
Arab News
02-05-2025
- Arab News
Threat of war with India empties scenic Pakistani valley of summer tourists
MUZAFFARABAD: Neelum Valley in northern Pakistan attracts some 300,000 tourists each summer who marvel at its natural beauty. But the threat of war with nearby India has emptied its hotels. Gunmen last week killed 26 people in the Indian-administered Kashmir's resort town of Pahalgam, fueling tensions between the nuclear-armed nations after India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Pakistan denies. Neelum Valley is less than 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the Line of Control, the de facto border that divides the disputed region of Kashmir, making it vulnerable to any military activity. Hotel owner Rafaqat Hussain said Thursday the crisis has hit the tourism industry hard. 'Most tourists have left and returned to their cities because there is a risk of war,' he said. Authorities in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir temporarily shuttered dozens of tourist resorts following the attack as a precaution. No such order has come from Pakistani authorities. Bazaars in the Pakistani border town of Chakothi were open for business, although people were concerned. 'First of all, our prayer is for peace, as war always affects civilians first,' shop owner Bashir Mughal told The Associated Press, saying he would fight alongside the army in the event of conflict. Pakistan used to help residents build bunkers near their homes during periods of intense cross-border firing. But the population has grown and some homes lack shelters. 'Local casualties could be devastating if war breaks out,' Mughal warned. Saiqa Naseer, also from Chakothi, shuddered at the childhood memories of frequent firing across the border. 'Now, as a mother, I find myself facing the same fears,' she said. She remembered Indian shells striking the picturesque valley when the two countries came close to war in 2019. She has a bunker at her home. 'If war comes, we will stay here. We won't run away,' she said.
Toronto Star
02-05-2025
- Toronto Star
The threat of a war with India empties a scenic Pakistani valley of summer tourists
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Neelum Valley in northern Pakistan attracts some 300,000 tourists each summer who marvel at its natural beauty. But the threat of war with nearby India has emptied its hotels. Gunmen last week killed 26 people in the Indian resort town of Pahalgam, fueling tensions between the nuclear-armed nations after India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Pakistan denies. Neelum Valley is less than 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the Line of Control, the de facto border that divides the disputed region of Kashmir, making it vulnerable to any military activity. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Hotel owner Rafaqat Hussain said Thursday the crisis has hit the tourism industry hard. 'Most tourists have left and returned to their cities because there is a risk of war.' Authorities in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir temporarily shuttered dozens of tourist resorts following the attack as a precaution. No such order has come from Pakistani authorities. Bazaars in the Pakistani border town of Chakothi were open for business, although people were concerned. 'First of all, our prayer is for peace, as war always affects civilians first,' shop owner Bashir Mughal told The Associated Press, saying he would fight alongside the army in the event of conflict. Pakistan used to help residents to build bunkers near their homes during periods of intense cross-border firing. But the population has grown and some homes lack shelters. 'Local casualties could be devastating if war breaks out,' Mughal warned. Saiqa Naseer, also from Chakothi, shuddered at the childhood memories of frequent firing across the border. 'Now, as a mother, I find myself facing the same fears,' she said. She remembered Indian shells striking the picturesque valley when the two countries came close to war in 2019. She has a bunker at her home. 'If war comes, we will stay here. We won't run away,' she said.
San Francisco Chronicle
01-05-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Threat of war with India leaves a scenic Pakistani tourist spot empty
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Neelum Valley in northern Pakistan attracts some 300,000 tourists each summer who marvel at its natural beauty. But the threat of war with nearby India has emptied its hotels. Gunmen last week killed 26 people in the Indian resort town of Pahalgam, fueling tensions between the nuclear-armed nations after India blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Pakistan denies. Neelum Valley is less than 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the Line of Control, the de facto border that divides the disputed region of Kashmir, making it vulnerable to any military activity. Hotel owner Rafaqat Hussain said Thursday the crisis has hit the tourism industry hard. 'Most tourists have left and returned to their cities because there is a risk of war." Authorities in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir temporarily shuttered dozens of tourist resorts following the attack as a precaution. No such order has come from Pakistani authorities. Bazaars in the Pakistani border town of Chakothi were open for business, although people were concerned. 'First of all, our prayer is for peace, as war always affects civilians first,' shop owner Bashir Mughal told The Associated Press, saying he would fight alongside the army in the event of conflict. Pakistan used to help residents to build bunkers near their homes during periods of intense cross-border firing. But the population has grown and some homes lack shelters. 'Local casualties could be devastating if war breaks out,' Mughal warned. Saiqa Naseer, also from Chakothi, shuddered at the childhood memories of frequent firing across the border. 'Now, as a mother, I find myself facing the same fears,' she said. She remembered Indian shells striking the picturesque valley when the two countries came close to war in 2019. She has a bunker at her home.
