In Pahalgam, Abdullahs Blend Golf and Governance to Boost Kashmir Tourism

May 27, Pahalgam — In a powerful show of defiance and hope, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah  played a round of golf this morning at the stunning Pahalgam Golf Course — just hours before his son and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah  was scheduled to chair an extraordinary cabinet meeting in the same town, which was the site of a tragic terror attack barely a month ago.

Reviving Tourism from the Fairways

Surrounded by the snow-draped Pir Panjal mountains and emerald-green fairways, Abdullah’s presence on the course wasn’t just a personal moment of respite — it was a calculated message. The CM, an avid golfer and long-time advocate of sports tourism, used the setting to underscore his government’s commitment to reviving Kashmir’s battered tourism sector.

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Once a bustling destination for global travelers, Pahalgam’s tourism economy has struggled to recover since the April 22 attack that killed 25 tourists and a local pony handler, followed by heightened tension during cross-border ‘Operation Sindoor’ from May 7 to 10. Bookings were cancelled en masse, and major hotels across the Valley now report near-zero occupancy.

#Pahalgam | JKNC president Farooq Abdullah plays golf at Pahalgam golf course, as the Jammu and Kashmir government intensifies efforts to boost tourism in South Kashmir. The initiative aims to promote the region as a safe and attractive destination for visitors. pic.twitter.com/JrenHXT3kS

— Daily Excelsior (@DailyExcelsior1) May 27, 2025

A Cabinet Meeting Amid Meadows and Memories

In an unprecedented move, CM Omar Abdullah convened today’s cabinet meeting in Pahalgam — marking the first time under his current tenure that the state cabinet has gathered outside Srinagar or Jammu. The decision, described by insiders as “deeply symbolic,” aims to signal that Kashmir remains open for business, adventure, and beauty.

“The message is simple,” Abdullah told reporters briefly after finishing his round. “We are not abandoning our tourist towns. We are reclaiming them.”

Discussions in the cabinet included immediate steps to restore tourist confidence, support for affected local businesses, and outreach to national and international tour operators. Sources confirmed that tomorrow, May 28, a second cabinet-level meeting will be held at the famed Gulmarg ski resort with top bureaucrats and security officials in attendance.

Hope from the Grassroots

Tourism, which contributes nearly 7% to the region’s GDP, is currently in crisis. Locals see Abdullah’s initiative as a turning point. “It matters that he came here, played golf here, and brought his ministers here,” said a Pahalgam hotelier. “We need more than security assurances. We need visibility. And that starts with leadership.”

Former MLA and NC stalwart Tanvir Sadiq echoed the sentiment, calling the move “governance at the doorstep.” He noted that Abdullah had previously held off-site cabinet meetings in remote areas during his earlier term — a practice now being revived in the face of crisis.

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More Than a Game

For Farooq Abdullah, who inaugurated the Pahalgam Golf Course in 2011 and has pushed for a “golf circuit” connecting Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Leh, the sport remains a metaphor for resilience and vision. His idea to host PSU conferences and national events in Kashmir — shared recently at a NITI Aayog meeting — is now gaining traction.

“This isn’t just about golf,” said a local tourism officer. “It’s about saying: we’re still here. The landscape hasn’t changed. The welcome remains the same.”

As the sun dipped over the Lidder River and cabinet ministers dispersed, Abdullah stayed back to meet ponywalas, hoteliers, and golf staff — reminding them that recovery begins one step, one swing, and one visitor at a time.