Islamabad: (Parliament Times) President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan has highlighted the need to help facilitate the overseas Kashmiri community and address their pending issues here in Azad Kashmir.
The President made these comments during a meeting with UK based Barrister Abid Hussain, who called on him here at Jammu and Kashmir House.
Barrister Abid Hussain informed the President that the Kashmiri diaspora community living abroad, especially in the United Kingdom was very keen on investing in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan. He said that a sense of reluctance prevails due to a lack of understanding of the procedures related to investment, which he requested to be removed. He added that the Kashmiri diaspora community may be provided with the confidence to come and invest here by enabling and empowering the AJK Overseas Commission. He requested that beyond political oversight no interference be allowed in the operations of the commission.
He further said that issues of extreme importance be resolved as soon as possible, while the sub-judicious matters related to overseas Kashmiris may be allowed for resolution via the courts without any external meddling. Other issues of any complex nature may be resolved with the help of political leadership so as to enable policy formulation.
Barrister Hussain also urged the need to raise the Kashmir issue by reaching out to the young Kashmiris living in the United Kingdom and also to influencing the British civil society.
President Masood Khan while commending the efforts of the Pakistani-Kashmiri diaspora for their resolute stance on Kashmir said that they have effectively advocated the plight of the Kashmiris. He assured that the AJK Government will always facilitate the overseas Kashmiri community in resolving their issues here in AJK. He said that concrete efforts are being made to activate and effectively empower the AJK Overseas Commission. He said that Kashmiris willing to invest in AJK will be provided with a one-window facility to help address their needs.
President AJK said that not only would the Overseas Commission be made effective, measures are also being taken to help initiate the effective functioning of the AJK Board of Investment. He said that AJK’s Government is looking into developing new avenues for boosting investment in development projects, tourism, education and agriculture. He said that AJK has a huge potential for tourism and in the coming years we expect foreign and local investment in developing modern log huts, motels, recreation parks and water sport related facilities.
