AJK to lower voter age from 21 to 18

Step has been taken to ensure maximum participation of youth in politics in the next general and local body elections

MIRPUR: The minimum age of a voter is being reduced from 21 years to 18 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to ensure maximum participation of youth in politics in the next general and local body elections. This was disclosed by AJK Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed while speaking at a capacity-building youth dialogue hosted by Centre for Peace Development and Reforms (CPDR) with coordination of British Council. He further said a self-employment scheme will be introduced in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) soon to overcome unemployment among the educated youth by offering loans on low interest. Saeed informed that volume of non-development budget for social sector has been increased from Rs61 billion to Rs83 billion. The minister said consultants will be hired to prepare an integrated youth policy which would ensure bright future of the new generation.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2017.