MUZAFFARABAD: (Parliament Times) Chief Secretary AJ&K Mathar Niaz Rana (NSC) on behalf of AJ&K Government has requested Federal Ministry of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit Baltistan for special relief package for people living at Line of Control from Benazir Income Support Program as they are exposed to frequent Indian aggressive posture and indiscriminate firing.
This act of Indian aggression limiting their opportunities of livelihood and free movement; along with destruction of property and infrastructure. AJK government is taking measures for the welfare of these people but to meager resources. The civilian population mostly relies on field crops for their livelihood; therefore, they are in dire need of financial assistance for normal pursuits of life.
At the moment out of 4.2 million population of AJ&K 0.53 million people are living in the areas adjoining to LoC while 79,992 houses are directly exposed to Indian firing. Currently AJK’s 13,982 households are beneficiaries from the “Cash Grant” of BISP. It is indispensable to give special package for remaining 66010 households, the proposal adds.
In view of the Continuous violation of LoC from Indian side such a step from Government of Pakistan would boost the morale of the people living near LoC and will be an acknowledgement of their sacrifices as well. Moreover, it would be a gesture of expressing solidarity with them.
In the end it was urged that in view of the present situation Chairman BISP should be directed to include all the houses located near LoC in “Cash Grant Scheme” of Benazir Income Support Program.