Muzaffarabad:Â (Parliament Times) AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan has said federal government has increased development budget of Azad Kashmir from Rs 12 billion to Rs 21 billion.
Addressing a news conference at Prime Minister House here on Friday, he said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit to Muzaffarabad on Thursday had in principle accepted a number demands of AJK government that include constitution of a high level constitutional reform committee to suggest amendments in Interim AJK Constitution, Act 1974, increase of development and non development budget to end financial crisis in the state, declaring AJK part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor, providing financial resources for construction of 1450 kilometers roads, construction of Lower Topa- Muzaffarabad Express Way, upgradition of Muzaffarabad Mansehra Road, construction of Shunter Nullah Tunnel under CPEC and increase of AJK’s share federal taxes.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accorded the approval of AJK Government’s demand and the federal government will implement the decisions of PM soon. Criticisising the previous government of Pakistan Pakistan People’s Party Azad Kashmir, Raja Farooq Haider Khan said PPP committed unpardonable crimes by signing Simla Agreement with India, surrendering powers of AJK government by bringing amendments in Act, 1974 and excluding AJK from National Finance Commission.
He said that Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif also directed Federal Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar for release of 2.20 billion to AJK outstanding funds from Kashmir Council. The Kashmir Council, he added would also release 1. 85 billion to AJK. The Prime Minister said a meeting of ERRA has been summoned to start construction work on 692 educational institutions affected by 2005 earthquake for which AJK needs Rs 2 billion.
He said Excise and Taxation Department and the Department of Accountant General is being handed over to AJK government to increase the revenue of the state. The Prime Minister said AJK would raise the issue of Net Hydal Profit, Agreement on hydropower generation projects and other related issues in the meeting of Council of Common Interest. He expressed his hope that all four provinces of Pakistan would support AJK in this move.
Unfolding the details of Constitutional Reforms Committee, Raja Farooq Haider Khan said the six- members committee comprising Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Affairs, Prime Minister’s advisor on Foreign Affairs, Federal Law minister Minister, AJK President, Prime Minister and AJK Law Minister would start its work instantly.
Raja Farooq Haider Khan also brushed aside the impression that AJK Shariat Court is being abolished and termed as unfounded propaganda against the government. He clarified that Shariat Court is being reconstituted in accordance with the norms of Sharia. He also denied accusation that Mirpur Education Board and Mirpur Medical College are being shifted outside the district.
