Syed Ali Safvi expressed gratitude to the commissioner for his visit to the area and urged  him to follow-up on his promises in a time bound manner and ensure adequate arrangements are put in place for the ensuing month of Muharram.

"We want to move forward and we are trying our best to have good ties with all our neighbors, including India," information minister Fawad Chaudhry said. "As General Bajwa says, regions prosper, countries don't. India cannot prosper by weakening Pakistan."

DDC Bandipora in his address said that media persons predominantly focus on anti-establishment news thereby ignoring other societal and developmental issues.

The order has been issued to ensure discouragement of untoward incidents and vigil in view of the importance of these places of worships for devotees in the district.

A colourful and scintillating cultural programme depicting the culture and traditions of Kargil was the main attraction of the event on the inaugural day today.