Babar Chowdhary nominated adhoc President JKHARA

Srinagar, Dec 26: Jammu and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (JKHARA) has appointed an adhoc body led by Babar Chowdhary as acting President after completing the previous executive body's two-year term.

A statement said that senior JKHARA leader and former KCCI President Rouf Punjabi announced the previous body's dissolution and the interim leadership's formation. The new team includes Dr Lateef Ahmad as Senior Vice President, Imran Sheikh as Junior Vice President, Ayesha Salam as General Secretary, Mohd Shafi as Joint General Secretary, and Nasreen Ansari as Treasurer. The adhoc body has been mandated to conduct elections within six months while addressing pressing issues in J&K's tourism sector.

"The tourism sector is currently facing several pressing issues, including lease extensions, hotel renovations, NOCs, frequent power cuts, and an unprecedented hike in utility charges," Chowdhary said after his appointment.

He emphasized plans to explore new tourist destinations and develop infrastructure to establish J&K as a year-round destination. The association will focus on guesthouse development and leverage upcoming rail connectivity to enhance tourist accessibility.

"I am deeply thankful to all the members for unanimously nominating me as the adhoc President," Chowdhary said, adding that the body would work closely with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government to address stakeholder concerns.