Development of public health infrastructure govt’s priority: AJK president

Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan has said that development and upgrading of primary healthcare facilities and other basic amenities is a priority of the AJK government.

He made these comments while addressing the inaugural ceremony of Three-Day Free Eye-Camp for Cataract Surgeries organised by Al-Mustafa Welfare Organisation on Friday. Dr Najeeb Naqi, AJK minister for health, also addressed on the occasion, while AJK Women's Commission Chairperson Begum Tahmian Sadiq, Commander (retd) Zafar Iqbal, Major (retd) Sikandar, Sardar Rab Nawaz and officials of district administration were also present on the occasion.

Sardar Mohammad Hayat, an official of the UK Conservative Party, was the host of the function and the eye-camp. A team of eye specialists will examine about 1,000 patients during the eye-camp, and will operate upon them besides providing free lenses and other optical equipment to the patients.

The AJK president lauded the contribution of charity organisations side-by-side with the government departments, of providing education and health facilities to the masses. "Service to humanity is a great virtue, and to cure and restore the eyesight of the blind people is the greatest service to humanity."

The government, Masood said, will continue to provide universal access to health facilities and especially focus on providing quality health care services to the people living in far-flung areas of Azad Kashmir.

Describing territory of Poonch as a land of Ghazis and martyrs, the AJK president paid great homage to the elders of Poonch, saying late Col (retd) Khan Mohammad Khan had rendered great services for Azad Kashmir particularly for the people Poonch by playing a leading role in the Kashmir the liberation movement in 1947.

“Today, his grandson Dr Mohammad Najib Naq is busy day and night in serving the people of Sadhnoti,” he added.

Masood also praised Sardar Muhammad Hayat Khan for his efforts in raising the Kashmir issue and said that he has effectively advocated the plight of the Kashmiris as a political leader in the UK Conservative Party. He said, “People like him are an asset for not only Azad Kashmir but also Pakistan.”

Earlier, while addressing a mammoth Friday congregation at the local Jamia Masjid and Darul-Aloom, he said that at present occupied part of Kashmir is undergoing the darkest period of its history as the usurper India had unleashed unprecedented repression against the innocent and defenceless Kashmiri people.

The AJK president said that the youth of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are being killed, detained and deprived of their land and employment, while women are being raped and dishonoured by occupying forces.

“The BJP-RSS regime headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is transforming demography of Kashmir to turn the Muslim majority of the state to the minority,” he added.

Masood urged the people of the area to revive the spirit of their forefathers and play their role at this delicate juncture of the history, “to liberate our Kashmiri brethren from the Indian shackles.”

Later, the state president laid the foundation stone of Khan Mohammad Khan Housing Society.

Addressing the event, Dr Najeeb Naqi praised the initiative of Sardar Hayat and Al Mustafa Welfare Trust for organising the free eye-camp in which the local population would be provided free of charge surgeries and consultation.