Islamabad: (Parliament Times) Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Affairs Chaudhry Barjees Tahir has said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif approved an increase in development funds of Azad Jammu and Kashmir from eleven to twenty one billion rupees.   Â
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he said PML-N Government will fulfill its all promises made with the people of Azad Kashmir during the election campaign. The Minister announced to provide two air ambulances for AJK and one each for Gilgit Baltistan and FATA. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has recently announced a comprehensive development package on the demand of Azad Kashmir leadership and around fifty percent increase of development budget is part of that package. The increased budget will herald a new era of development and economic activity in the liberated area, the minister added.
Saying that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is keenly interested to see AJK a developed and prosperous region, the Federal Minister said that a highway will also be constructed from Mirpur to Muzaffarabad besides improving and upgrading the existing roads infrastructure under the special instructions of Prime Minister.
About the constitutional reforms in AJK and demand for more powers to state government, Minister for Kashmir Affairs said Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council was setup under the Interim Constitution of Azad Kashmir, Act 1974 and if AJK people want to amend this constitution they can do it.Â
Commenting on the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir, the Minister said Kashmiris are struggling for their freedom while India was trying to change demography of the Occupied Kashmir.  He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue diplomatic, political and moral support to Kashmiris struggle for their internationally recognized right to self determination.
