KATHUA: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Monday inaugurated the Indian Oil fuel station “Aanam Filling Station” at Hamirpur in Rajbagh area of Kathua district along National Highway-44.
The petrol pump is owned by local entrepreneur Yasar Ali Chowdhary. Bukhari was accompanied by Apni Party Provincial President Jammu S. Manjit Singh, District President Samba Raman Thappa, party spokesperson Sahil Bharti and Onkar Singh, among others.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Bukhari congratulated Chowdhary and his family on establishing the new facility and said such investments could contribute to economic activity and employment generation in the region.
He said the setting up of new business ventures by local entrepreneurs reflected confidence in the economic potential of Jammu and Kashmir and stressed the importance of encouraging private investment alongside government-led employment initiatives.
Bukhari said sectors such as tourism, transport, hospitality, agriculture, food processing, trade and services offered significant opportunities for economic growth and job creation. He also called for a business-friendly environment with streamlined procedures, improved infrastructure and easier access to approvals for entrepreneurs.
Referring to the strategic importance of NH-44, he said commercial facilities along the highway could provide services to commuters while generating business and employment opportunities for people living in nearby areas.
The Apni Party leader also highlighted unemployment as a major challenge facing the youth and said greater support for entrepreneurship and private investment was needed to expand employment opportunities.
He expressed hope that the new filling station would provide efficient services to commuters and local residents and emerge as a source of employment in the area.
The inauguration concluded with Bukhari interacting with the proprietor, local residents and other attendees at the event.