Shadow Correspondent
Kathua, SEPT14:
President of the J&K Apni Party Altaf Bukhari today inaugurated the Indian Oil petrol pump ‘Aanam Filling Station’ at Hamirpur (Rajbagh) on National Highway-44 in Kathua. The filling station is owned by Yasar Ali Chowdhary.Bukhari was accompanied by J&K Apni Party Provincial President Jammu, S. Manjit Singh; District President Samba Raman Thappa; party spokesp erson Sahil Bharti; and Onkar Singh, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Bukhari congratulated Yasar Ali Chowdhary and his family for establishing the new facility and described it as a welcome addition to the growing economic and commercial activity along the important NH-44 corridor.He said that the establishment of a new business venture by a local entrepreneur reflects the growing confidence of people in the economic potential of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised that such initiatives should be encouraged because sustainable economic development cannot be achieved through government employment alone.
“We need more young entrepreneurs and investors to come forward and create opportunities for themselves as well as for others. Every new enterprise has the potential to generate direct and indirect employment and contributes to strengthening the local economy,” Bukhari said.
The Apni Party President said that Jammu and Kashmir possesses enormous potential in sectors such as tourism, transport, hospitality, agriculture, food processing, small industries, services and trade.
He stressed the need for an environment in which entrepreneurs can establish and expand their businesses without unnecessary administrative hurdles.
Bukhari observed that the expansion and improvement of road connectivity, particularly along major national highways, should translate into greater economic opportunities for local communities.He said NH-44 is an important economic lifeline connecting different parts of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country, and the development of commercial facilities along the highway can provide essential services to commuters while also generating employment and business opportunities for people living in adjoining areas.
He said that better connectivity should not remain confined to the movement of vehicles but should also facilitate the movement of goods, services, tourists and investment, thereby creating a wider economic ecosystem.Bukhari called upon entrepreneurs to explore emerging opportunities and urged the government to provide a conducive policy and regulatory environment for private investment.
The Apni Party chief stressed that unemployment remains one of the major concerns confronting the youth and said that a comprehensive strategy is required to address it.He said government departments and public-sector institutions have an important role, but the private sector must also become a major source of employment.
“Our youth possess talent, skills and the ability to succeed.
What they need is an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship, investment and innovation. When a young person establishes a business, he or she does not merely create self-employment but also opens avenues of employment for others,” he said.
He appreciated Yasar Ali Chowdhary for taking the initiative and expressed hope that the new venture would grow successfully and become a source of employment for local youth.Bukhari said that Jammu and Kashmir needs a stronger and more transparent business environment where legitimate enterprises can function smoothly.
He called for simplification of procedures, timely approvals, improved infrastructure and effective coordination between departments dealing with commerce, roads, power, taxation and other essential services.He said that local entrepreneurs should be given greater encouragement so that capital generated within Jammu and Kashmir is invested back into the local economy.“Our objective should be to create an economy in which our youth become job creators rather than only job seekers. For this, the government, financial institutions and the private sector have to work together,” he said.
Bukhari extended his best wishes to Yasar Ali Chowdhary, proprietor of Aanam Filling Station, and his family, expressing hope that the new facility would serve the people travelling on NH-44 and the residents of surrounding areas efficiently.He also underscored the importance of maintaining high standards of customer service, safety and professionalism at such public-facing facilities.
The inauguration concluded with Bukhari interacting with the proprietor, local residents and other guests present on the occasion.
The gathering expressed hope that the new commercial facility would contribute to local economic activity and provide convenient services to commuters and residents in the Hamirpur-Rajbagh area.The presence of senior Apni Party leaders, including S. Manjit Singh, Raman Thappa, Sahil Bharti and Onkar Singh, reflected the party’s support for local entrepreneurship and initiatives aimed at strengthening economic activity and employment opportunities in the region.
