Rs50 billion earmarked for AJK development

Announces opening of gas company’s offices to facilitate natural gas supply to Mirpur

ISLAMABAD: The government has allocated Rs50 billion for the rehabilitation of infrastructure in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) during the next five years.

The announcement was made by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Barjees Tahir.



The minister made these remarks at a joint news conference with Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Dr Asif Kirmani.

He also added that modern hospitals would be established in every district of the AJK and the existing ones would be upgraded with modern facilities. He also announced that a parliamentary committee would be set up to address the grievances of the people affected by Mangla Dam. Barjees added that the recommendations put forward by the panel would be implemented according to the instructions of the prime minister.



He also announced the opening of gas company’s offices which shall provide natural gas to Mirpur and its adjacent areas. The minister also promised of uninterrupted supply of electricity and natural gas will be ensured to the industrial sector after signing of the agreement with Qatar for import of LNG.

Barjees also gloated how the PML-N got the opportunity twice to bring in a no confidence motion against the incumbent AJK government, but the party did not go for it as it prefers to bring change through vote.

Rashid said the PML-N had finalized a dynamic manifesto, promising progress and prosperity for AJK. Rashid said, “the PML-N will carry out and complete the announced mega development projects after winning the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.”



Not only this the minister remarked that, “Forming the government for the third time is evident of the fact that the PML-N always stands by its commitments and fulfils promises made with people of the country.”

Answering a question, the minister said the PML-N has received 220 applications for the 29 seats in different parts of AJK.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2016.