ISLAMABAD, (Parliament Times): A high level meeting on Kashmir Development Package was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan .The Prime Minister of Azad Jammu Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi , The Minister for Kashmir Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur, Advisor for Finance Mr.Shaukat Tareen ,the AJK Minister for Financé Abdul Majid Khan, and other concerned senior officers were also present .
The meeting was informed in the briefing that the development package includes construction of major highways, bridges and tunnels and Improving infrastructure to help boost tourism activities in the state and will extend better communication facilities to the people. The Prime Minister was informed that the Government of Azad Kashmir has taken steps on an emergency basis to dispose of the waste in the cities and has launched a major operation against encroachments and about 1,200 tonnes of waste were destroyed.
The Kashmir Development Package has given special importance to the energy sector as well as the development of tourism and steps would be taken to link the highways to identify tourist destinations. A significant amount has been earmarked in the Kashmir Development Package for the improvement of basic health facilities and education sector and the provision of basic facilities in schools and college , and major projects for industrial development and environmental sustainability are also part of the package.. The meeting was further informed that Azad Kashmir would be included in the scope of the federal government’s social security schemes, health cards, youth employment, farmer assistance and low cost housing.
Addressing the meeting the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan called for relinquishing government lands and accelerating the process of accountability and added that the process of justice should be fast and transparent. Alternatives must be provided to the poor while removing the encroachments and facilities should be provided in alternative areas as well. Government lands should be relinquished and forests should be planted on them.