Islamabad: (Parliament Times) The senior minister and minister for housing and physical planning Ch Tariq Farooq has called on president Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan and discussed with him matters pertaining to good governance, development projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, amendments in interim constitution Act, 1974 and latest situation in occupied Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion president said that with the amendments in AJK constitution, the state government will get more powers besides increase of funds to AJK from federal devisable pool. He said that after 18 amendments in the constitution of Pakistan different departments transferred to provinces and federal government stopped the funds to AJK for education, health, environment and sports as a result of which dozen of ongoing projects in Azad Kashmir had to face suspension or delay.
The president expressed his hope that after amendment in AJK constitution our financial problems would be resolved to great extend. The AJK president said that federal government on the request of AJK constituted a high level committee to finalize a draft for the amendments for which we all are thankful to the prime minister and the central government.
The president stressed on the need of a comprehensive planning for the development and progress of liberated area with focus on inviting investors to invest in tourism infrastructure development, education, health, hydropower generation and minerals sector.
The president Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan further said that growing unemployment and joblessness in Azad Kashmir could create frustration among the educated youth and suggested that Pakistani banks doing business in Azad Kashmir should be persuaded to provide interest free loan to the youth for starting small businesses and for this purpose he will himself contact the top management of the banks.
