Farooq Elaborates Detailed Agenda For AJK Uplift

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd August, 2016) : Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider has dilated upon a comprehensive governance and developmental plan for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to develop infrastructure and ameliorate the lot of people. In an interview with ptv, the AJK premier focussed on education, health, infrastructure and good governance issues and said, these areas had been neglected during the previous government. "But, the PML-N government would focus all the areas of masses interest to improve their lives and provide basic facilities at their doorstep." He said there was need to introduce certain reforms in these important but interrelated sectors to replace the outdated system with the new one. As for education and health sectors, he said we needed to bring improvement at educational institutions and health centres in AJK through a proper education and health policy.

Teachers would be appointed through NTS and new emergency services would be started at hospitals. He said freedom movement in Indian occupied Kashmir was indigenous and new government in Azad Kashmir would highlight brutalities of Indian forces against innocent Kashmiris at all world forums.

He said there should be no restriction on anybody's movement across LoC especially at times when needed. "Pakistan always respected the rights of people guaranteed in the UN resolutions but it is India who have been mocking these resolutions by torturing and subjugating their rights." Farooq Haider said Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani's movement was started 89 years back.

It is the third generation now waging this struggle as now the Kashmiri youth are leading this struggle, it would be impossible for India to quell it. He said it is obligatory upon India to sit with Pakistan and resolve the lingering on Kashmir dispute to ensure lasting peace in the region.

"India should have to shift from state of denial and come forward to give Kashmiris their right to self-determination.

" Replying to a question, he said good governance would be his first priority and he would reform the service structure and provide right job to right person. He said the people of Kashmir voted him into government for merit, justice, progress and basic facilities and his government will fulfill promises made during the election campaign. Economic prosperity would be on top of agenda as AJK is rich in hydel power, agriculture, livestock and forestry resources, he added. The AJK Prime Minister expressed resolve to respect the opposition and learn from their criticism if it is positive and constructive.

Describing the local government system as an important component of governance, he said, new LG elections would be held in December also ensuring women representation in this system. So far as the developmental works were concerned, he said, we have conducted several geological surveys for repairing roads but a certain amount of funds would be needed for the purpose.

He said the budget allocated for the rehabilitation of earthquake affectees would judiciously be spent on their rehabilitation and welfare. Regarding tourism, he said the AJK is blessed with natural beauty but it was ignored in the past.

Now, we have hired a team of expert to help restore its beauty and revive the tourism again. He said the Neelum Jhelum project would be beneficial for both AJK and Pakistan and we desire its early completion to benefit masses. He said justice is always very vital for progress and prosperity of the people and our government would ensure dispensation of speedy and inexpensive justice. The AJK Prime Minister also reiterated to discourage extremism, promote tolerance and curb crimes to make the state peaceful and a safer destination for Kashmiri people and the tourists.