ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced developmental package of rupees 47 billion for Azad Kashmir with the claim that it would bring mark change in the condition of the area and help in mitigating miseries of the people of Azad Kashmir who have been suffering at the hands of corrupt administration.
The pronouncement has come in reception that was held here to greet distinguished Kashmiri leader Mushtaq Minhas joining of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) here in a hotel on Tuesday. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Barjees Tahir, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Political Affairs Dr. Asif Saeed Kirmani, former chief minister Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider, Shah Ghulam Qadir, Abdul Khaliq Wasi and Noreen Arif, Chairman Evacuee Property Trust Board Siddiaq ul Farooq and Mushtaq Minhas addressed the gathering.
A number of leaders belonging to the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) announced to join the PML-N in expression of solidarity with Mushtaq Minhas. Federal minister Chaudhary
Barjees Tahir maintained that Azad Kashmir would progress under the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He said people of Kashmir have great expectations from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and expressed strong commitment that PML-N would work for development and prosperity of the area after coming into power. The ceremony was largely attended by PML-N leaders.
The minister said it was a good omen that educated people like Mushtaq Minhas are becoming part of the PML-N, after getting inspired by the party leadership's vision and commitment to serve the public. He asked the officials concerned to ensure holding of the upcoming general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir in free, impartial and transparent manner. He assured the Election Commission that the federal government would extend all possible cooperation in this regard. The PML-N, the minister said, after coming into power would make AJK departments free of corruption and uphold principle and merit and transparency there. He said it was the hallmark of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that he always effectively highlighted the Kashmir issue at every fora including General Assembly of United Nations.
Dr. Syed Asif Saeed Kirmani said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is holding the flag of Quid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who has the acumen to deal with the Kashmir issue and ways to help the people of Kashmir on both the sides of the divide for resolving their problems. Dr. Kirmani said that it is the statesmanship of Nawaz Sharif that has rekindled the hope amid Kashmris on the both sides. The SAPM for Political Affairs said that the stalwarts of the past in Kashmir followed the politics of principles but unfortunately the leadership currently running the show in Kashmir has become source of shame and indignity.
President PML-N Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider welcomed Mushtaq Minhas in the party and hoped that the party would become more strong and vibrant with his joining. He said that PML-N want to lay the foundation of a new political, economic and social society in AJK where every individual would have equal rights to progress. Raja underlined the need for changing the existing constitutional structure of AJK, saying that the party wants to see legislatures empowered.
Mushtaq Minhas paid gratitude to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and leadership of the PML-N Azad Kashmir chapter for according him honour and enthusiastic reception in the ranks of the party.
