Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday assured that his government, in collaboration with the AJK leadership, would ensure the implementation of mutual understanding and seek a permanent solution to the issues facing the Kashmiri people after the completion of the IMF team’s visit.
The premier, addressing the special cabinet meeting of the AJK, asked his AJK counterpart to establish a committee for essential consultations with relevant Pakistani ministries regarding issues like water charge, Neelum Jhelum, and others for the benefit of the AJK people.
The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to constitute a high-level committee for consultation over matters related to the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project. The prime minister said the committee comprising senior officials from federal and AJK governments will finalize the short, mid and long term plans within next two weeks.
He directed the officials concerned for immediate and earliest possible completion of the bridge at Mangla phase-II, so no chaotic elements can ever misuse and exploit this little incomplete portion of bridge for their sordid political gains. He said the federal and AJK governments will hold discussions soon after IMF team leaves the country to finally settle the pending issues so no such incident like recent protest in AJK arises again.Shehbaz also expressed condolences over the death of civilians and a police personnel during the protests and announced a package for heirs of Shuhada. He said the funds worth Rs23 billion announced by federal government for Azad Kashmir have been transferred into the AJK government account.
He said development and prosperity of Pakistan is directly linked with the prosperity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had arrived in AJK for a day-long visit to meet the political leadership and address the members of the AJK cabinet.
