Islamabad: Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Amir Muqam, announced that the government is steadfast in fulfilling the demands agreed upon with the Kashmir Action Committee.
According to Radio Pakistan, Muqam, speaking at a news conference alongside Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, emphasized that numerous demands by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee have already been addressed. Among these, all First Information Reports, barring fifteen murder cases, have been retracted, and detained protesters have been released. The Azad Kashmir Government has also approached the Chief Justice of AJK for a judicial commission to file FIRs against those accountable for protest-related chaos.
Muqam highlighted that the restriction of the AJK cabinet to twenty members has been implemented, and several departments have been consolidated, reducing the government size to twenty-one departments under twenty secretaries. Suspended government employees during the protests have been reinstated.
Addressing financial sector developments, Muqam stated that requirements for establishing the AJK Bank have been met, and the bank will become operational shortly. Compensation has been distributed to families of the deceased and injured, alongside employment provisions to families who lost members. The demand for tax collection following Punjab’s pattern has been sanctioned, and property transfer matters have been forwarded to the President for ordinance issuance.
The Minister mentioned that demands concerning the Universal Service Fund (USF) have been resolved with Ishtiaq Ahmed’s appointment as CEO. Additionally, the AJK Government has sanctioned two boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education for Poonch and Muzaffarabad, with medical college admissions based on open merit.
Muqam noted that the demand regarding student organizations is under high-level review. Water supply projects for ten Azad Kashmir districts are integrated into the Public Sector Development Programme, and initiatives for garbage segregation via tender are underway to enhance solid waste management.
On health sector advancements, the Azad Kashmir Prime Minister is set to launch a health card scheme by the twentieth of this month. Funding will soon be available for MRI and CT scan facilities in Azad Kashmir, with a significant development project approved for hospital operation theatres and nurseries.
Regarding the electricity system upgrade, Muqam shared that a ten billion rupee PC-1 has been prepared collaboratively by the AJK Government, IESCO, and the Power Division. The e-tendering demand for electricity meters is approved, and discussions on the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project continue.
On legislative amendments, an ordinance for accountability law amendments is forthcoming. For the twelve migrant seats in the AJK Assembly, a nine-member committee has been formed, with representation from the AJK Government, Action Committee, and Federal Government. However, the Action Committee’s absence from the initial meeting was noted.
Discussing infrastructure, Muqam announced the completion of a feasibility study by the Civil Aviation Authority for an international airport in Mirpur, with findings to be released soon. The Kahuta-Azad Pattan Road feasibility study is also progressing.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, voiced disappointment over the Joint Awami Action Committee’s absence in today’s review meeting, attributing it to disagreements over AJK Assembly standing committee chairmanship allocations. Despite this, he reaffirmed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Federal Government’s dedication to resolving Azad Kashmir’s issues.