Overview

• KTMF, representing the valley’s business community, pledged to ensure the smooth, peaceful completion of the annual pilgrimage beginning July 3.
• President Mohammad Yaseen Khan described the yatra as a symbol of centuries-old interfaith brotherhood rooted in Kashmir’s traditions of inclusiveness and communal harmony.
• The federation urged authorities to allow yatris to explore markets, speak with shopkeepers and taste regional cuisine to build trust and showcase the region’s warmth.
• Khan called on the government to reinstate helicopter services for pilgrims and provide modern infrastructure, medical aid centers and eco-friendly lodging for elderly and differently-abled participants.
• The association highlighted the pilgrimage’s role in countering polarization and projecting a peaceful image of Kashmir after recent security concerns.