Muzaffarabad, June 11: With other parts of Pakistan scorching under heat, Muzaffarabad has turned a favourite tourist spot for the people coming from across the country.
 The space in the tourism department owned guesthouses has fallen short with the unprecedented flow of the tourists forcing the authorities to utilize the wooden houses of the local residents for accommodating the tourists.
 According to the officials of tourist department here all the guesthouses are packed by the tourists. “People facing sweltering heat in other parts of the country are heading here to enjoy the beauty of this place in its cool environs,” they said.
 To mention, there is a large number of guesthouses in different areas of Muzaffarabad including Pir Chanasi, Barsala, Neelam Katan, Keeran, Uthmuqam, Neelam, Dawarya, Sharda, Keel Gam, Kel and Valley Grees.
 Besides, in view of the unprecedented rush of tourists wooden houses of the local residents in areas like Khawaja Seeri, Kharigam, Keel and others in Neelam Valley have been pressed into service to deal with the tourists rush.
 Meanwhile many reputed tour operators of Pakistan are coming to Neelam Valley in the next week.
 Director General, Tourism Department, Dr. Muhasin Shakeel said: “PaK has been declared as tourist destination. Many plans and programmes have been taken for development of infrastructure and training of people associated with the tourism trade here. “
 He said the officials of the department were helping the tourists fervently.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST