Srinagar, June 18 (UNI) Apni Party organised Shikara rally at the iconic Dal Lake on Thursday to send a message across the country that Kashmir is safe and secure to visit.



This rally was led by party president Altaf Bukhari and attended by prominent party leaders, workers and supporters. The rally featured dozens of shikaras decorated with Apni Party flags, making it a vibrant and festive atmosphere on the iconic lake.



Bukhari said that this event was aimed at sending a message across the country that Kashmir is safe and secure to visit.



“This event has been organised to send out a strong message to our fellow citizens across the country who wish to visit Kashmir — that we are eagerly waiting for you. We want to tell everyone that Kashmir is safe and secure like any other part of the country,” he told media after the rally.



“Also, we organised this event to express our solidarity with all stakeholders in the tourism sector — including houseboat owners, shikara operators, hoteliers, as well as tempo, taxi, and auto drivers — who are currently disheartened by the prevailing circumstances. We want to assure them that the Apni Party stands firmly with them during these challenging times,” he added.



Responding to a question, Bukhari urged the government to step in and support tourism stakeholders who have suffered huge losses and a grave setback to their businesses following the horrific attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22.



“The government has to come forward to help the stakeholders who have suffered hugely. The government must intervene and extend meaningful support to them. Many among them are truly vulnerable and deeply distressed, and they definitely require immediate assistance and handholding from the government.”



This event was organised by the party’s Youth Wing headed by Yawar Dilawar Mir.



The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack has dealt a crushing blow to Kashmir’s tourism industry.



UNI MJR PRS