Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR: Mirpur would have been a city like Islamabad had its master plan implemented in letter and spirit.
AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan made these remarks while addressing the ceremony of inauguration of fire brigade building here on Saturday. His at government aims turning Mirpur into an international and modern city to attract tourists, he assured.
“Tourism policy and overseas desks have been set up in Azad Kashmir. Quality tourism would be promoted in Mirpur with facilities like PC hotel to ensure international conferences are held in Mirpur city” he said.
He said no step would be taken in AJK in violation of law and constitution. He believed that the importance of Azad Kashmir is in no way less than any province of the country in terms of constitutional rights.
Mr. Haider said his government took severest measures to check the corruption but without thorough probe character assassination of any one was not appropriate. He claimed that due to better strategy his government got out of overdrafting issue first time.
The Prime Minister said funds have been set up for provision of pension to employees of municipal corporation. He said local body elections would be held and asserted that PML-N would return victorious on the basis of performance.
We put restrictions on allotments of MDA as it would have kicked off a new chapter of corruption if we had allowed it. He said it is his endeavor to harmonize all the state institutes including municipal corporation and MDA to rule and law
He was of the view that after 13th amendment there was a decrease in tax collection in Pakistan while in AJK there was a significant increase of over one billion rupees in tax collection.
The Premier said his government was paying special attention on roads infrastructure and provision of sui gas to Mirpur adding that flood lights would be installed in Mirpur cricket stadium following which PSL matches would be held there.
He assured that problems relating to potable water and dry port would be resolved before Ramazan. He said in the first phase he had provided 13 crore rupees to better the water supply system.
Appreciating the efforts of municipal corporation, he said it took effective measures for cleanliness, ending encroachments and beautification of the city. MDA set up burn center, gymnasium and football practice academy.
The Prime Minister said overseas Kashmiris are also inclined for investment in Mirpur.
He said convention of PML-N workers would soon be held in which government would make decisions for next budget in consultation with the political workers.
The Prime Minister disclosed that that he was offered 50 crore rupees bribe during the Mangla dam upraising project but he declined the offer. He told the offering party that he had the interest of Pakistan and AJK more dear than money.