Saqib Ali Haidri
Muzaffarabad: AJK is being ignored due to less provision of quota recruitment of engineers in the on-going development projects initiated within the territory of Azad Kashmir, since Federal government has allotted only 2 percent quota for AJK nationals in all federal institutions.
The AJK is considered as most suitable place for the generation of electricity through hydel. Owing to the state’s vast potential of hydroelectric power generation, different universities are offering engineering programs in view of vast opportunities in this field. On the other hand, due to less provision of quota, AJK citizens get fewer opportunities in federal projects. In recent recruitments made in WAPDA, almost 190 engineers have been recruited country wide and from AJK only 2 engineers were selected.
It is expected that after the completion of Neelum Jehlum Hydel Project NJHP only lower staff from BPS 1 to 4 will be recruited on local basis. It has been also noticed that there is no share for AJK in power generated from NJHP, but will be transferred to National grid.
Agreements on NJHP with federal government regarding water usage charges and other environmental issues have not been done so far. Patreen hydel Project (149 MW) has been completed and its power generation is on test these days. Karot Power Project (720 MW) and Kohala Power Project (1124 MW) are yet to be initiated and estimated to start generation in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
In the last three years, around 300 students graduated as electrical engineers from Mirpur University of Science and technology MUST and amongst this fast growing lot professional degree holders/ engineers only 2 candidates have been able to get job in AJK government. Due to these flaws and lack of communication between WAPDA and State government and provision of fewer quotas by federal government have rendered this fresh lot of engineers despondent.
Masses of AJK demanded PM AJK, Chief Secretary to recruit engineers from AJK in these power houses besides including this as a precondition in agreements signed with Federal government.
