Islamabad: (Parliament Times) The Daily Jammu and Kashmir observed its 13th anniversary of publication here on Wednesday. A major function in this regard was held at National Press Club Islamabad, which was presided over by Justice (retired) Azam Khan the former chief Justice Azad Jammu and Kashmir and addressed by former AJK premier Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, MLA Abdul Rashed Turabi, Amir Mehboob the Chief Editor daily Jammu and Kashmir and several others, whereas federal minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Mr. Ali Ameen Gandapore attended the event as chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion the federal minister said that the incumbent government was ready to remove whatever lacunas left in the 13th amendment bill, which devolves additional legislative, administrative and financial powers to the state government. He said that the bill was passed in haste without addressing the reservations of stakeholders. “We want all these deficiencies and shortcomings in the 13th amendment be removed”, he said adding that government was committed to empower the people of region but so far as the affairs of national security are concerned there will be no compromise on it. Extending his heartfelt felicitations to chief editor Daily Jammu and Kashmir and his team the federal minister expressed the hope that the news paper will play vital role in projecting positive journalism in the region.
Speaking on the occasion the former AJK premier and president All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan said that Daily Jammu and Kashmir has played an important role for the integrity of Kashmir, good governance in AJK and for projecting Kashmir dispute at international level.
While appreciating the team spirit and hard work of the DJK chief editor , the former chief justice of Azad Kashmir Justice (r) Azam Khan said that DJK has set an example of true journalism in the state and played its role as a genuine voice of the people of Azad Kashmir. Terming AJK and Gilgit Baltistan as part and parcel of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir he said that it was not suitable at the momemnt to tinker with the status of these territories unless the promised plebiscite is held in the region.
Addressing the event the PDO minister Chudhary Rukhsar Ahmed said the abolition of Act 74 and the passage of 13the amendment bill was a great achievement and the credit for this landmark development goes to Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir who had vociferously raised the voice for the empowerment of local government and the rights of the people of the liberated territory. The former JI chief and MLA Abdul Rashied Turabi appreciated the state media’s role in projecting Kashmir cause and the issues related to good governance in the region.