MUZAFFARABAD:(Parliament Times) Minister for civil defense Ahmed Raza Qadri, Minister for Food Syed Shaukat Ali Shah, Minister for Jails Ch. Muhammad Ishaq, Minister for Sports Ch. Muhammad Saeed, Deputy Speaker Sardar Amir Altaf, Minister for Agriculture Ch. Masood Khalid and MLA Aleem Shah expressed their views on the next budget.
Ahmed Raza Qadri said when PML-N government came into power AJK was facing financial crunch. Even it was hard to pay salaries to government employees. Government led by Raja Farooq Haider Khan established financial discipline, he added. He pointed out that before 13th amendment even the approval for appointment of a Naib Qasid was sought from federal government. He said today AJK had been empowered constitutionally and lawfully. He said government was focusing on hydropower generation, tourism, health and education. He lauded the steps like free emergency services, NTS, restructuring of PSC, biometric system in educational institutions. He said government was also resolving refugees’s problems including enhancing their sustenance allowance. He said emergency services were being launched with the cooperation of federal government in 16 Tehsils near LoC.
Syed Shaukat Ali Shah felicitated finance minister and his team for presenting people friendly budget. He said it was the largest budget of AJK history which was reflecting aspirations of the people. The real credit of growth and development of AJK goes to Mr. Nawaz Sharif and AJK PM Raja Farooq Haider Khan, he added. He asked the opposition to upkeep traditions of the house. He said millions of people were offering sacrifices for Kashmir liberation struggle. He fully supported the budget for approval.
Ch. Muhammad Ishaque said it was largest budget of the state. He said the situation of AJK cast direct impact on the morale of people across the line of control. He said special attention was paid on education, health, tourism and growth and development in the budget. He felicitated Nawaz Sharif, Khaqan Abbasi and Raja Farooq Haider Khan whose efforts made 13th amendment possible. He was of the view that restoration of merit had ended the difference of rich and poor in AJK now. He said people were getting better health facilities through free emergency services. He supported the budget for approval.
Ch. Muhammad Saeed said that the next budget would play a positive role in the welfare of people and prosperity of the State. He said government set three priorities i.e. good governance, Kashmir liberation struggle and growth and development of the State and it did well so far. He said roads and communication sector was given adequate funding because of doubling development budget. Highways were reconditioned and now link roads were being bettered, he stated. He said now no one can raise finger at the appointments of teachers through NTS and PSC. He expressed thanks to PM and finance minister for resolving problems of Mangla Dam. He said government was extending better sports facilities to the youth. He disclosed that paragliding cup was being held in Muzaffarabad in cooperation with tourism department. Players of more than 50 countries are taking part in the paragliding, he maintained.
Sardar Amir Altaf said that it was a balanced budget in which projects of progress and prosperity were focused. He said assembly was lucky that it passed the Khatm-e- Naboowat bill. He termed 13th amendment as a historic achievement of PML-N which helped people and state to be empowered. He too expressed thanks to Nawaz Sharif for doubling the development budget of AJK.
Sharif was very keen in growth and development of the State, he observed. He said projects were launched through Prime Minister Community Infrastructure Program to provide rural areas of AJK facilities at par with urban area. He supported the budget for approval.
Taking part in debate Ch. Muhammad Masood Khalid felicitated finance minister and his team for presenting a historic budget. He appealed the treasury benches and opposition to ensure good atmosphere in the house. He said government was giving great importance to agriculture sector. He said fruit plants were being set up in urban areas of the State which would not only enhance state resources but also overcome unemployment issue. He supported the budget for approval.
MLA Asad Aleem Shah expressed sorrow that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made Pakistan an atomic power but he was in jail today. He said being a base camp government of AJK had more responsibility for Kashmir liberation struggle. He said development process in the state continued swiftly because of doubling development budget. He underscored the need of further bettering the tourism policy so that visiting tourists were provided good facilities.
