Displaced people promised hefty flour subsidy

PM Nawaz endorsed move before flying out to Tajikistan

ISLAMABAD: The government has approved relief for people uprooted by unprovoked Indian shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), pledging to provide flour at 50 per cent subsidy.

The decision will cover the population that lived in areas hit by ceasefire violations in Neelum Valley, Bhimber, Kotli, Kahuta, Poonch, Hattian, Khoi Ratta, Kale, Leepa, Rawlakot and Samani sectors and adjoining areas in Azad Kashmir, officials at the Prime Minister’s Office told The Express Tribune.

The move, the sources said, was endorsed at a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before flying out to Tajikistan.

Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan, Chief Secretary Sikander Sultan Raja and other top officials also attended the meeting.



“It is part of a special package for areas worst-hit by shelling. Whenever there is a large-scale displacement triggered by tensions on the LoC, such packages are announced,” an Azad Kashmir government functionary said, requesting anonymity.

In a related development, the prime minister of Azad Kashmir chaired another high-level meeting for providing wheat flour at subsidised rates. Initially, sources said, the Azad Kashmir government would set up 58 or 60 depots in the affected areas.

A statement issued by the Azad Kashmir prime minister’s office stated, the meeting reviewed the situation along the LoC and decided to provide medical facilities, shelter and other basic necessities to the victims of Indian firing.

Stressing the need for strict vigilance, the prime minister said that it was vital to ensure medical treatment facilities, medicines, availability of doctors and paramedical staff in all hospitals for treating the victims of Indian firing.”

Senior PML-N leader AJK Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan said that 58 depots would be set up along the LoC for providing subsidised flour. Other steps would also be taken to facilitate the population living along the LoC, he said.

Meanwhile, the meeting chaired by the prime minister of Azad Kashmir underscored the need for a reciprocal response to Indian aggression.

Slamming the provocations by India along the LoC, he noted that Pakistan Army was fully capable of defending the country.

“India is deliberately doing all this to divert world attention from its crimes in the valley where it is using pellet guns, blinding and killing dozens of freedom movement activists,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2016.