Altaf Hamid Rao.
MIRPUR (AJK), (Parliament Times) : Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan said on Saturday that the government was all set to revive the Panchayat, Jirga system and age-old Chokidari (watchman) system in the region.
The Prime Minister disclosed this while addressing oath taking ceremony of the newly elected office bearers of District Press club Jhelum valley Jhelum valley town of Azad Jammu Kashmir on Saturday. Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Dewan Ali Khan Chughtai, Parliamentary Secretary Prof Taqdis Gilani, former PTI candidate Syed Zeeshan Haider, PPP leader Sahibzada Ashfaq Zafar, Major Gulzaman and other journalists were present on the occasion.
Lauding the role of the journalist community, the PM said that journalism has an important role to play in the communication between the people and the government. He said that the government was well aware of the problems being faced by the the journalist community. The government, he said, would take all possible measures to solve their problems. On this occasion, the Prime Minister announced a grant of Rs. 1 million for the Jhelum Valley press club and an additional amount of Rs. 8 million for the welfare, healthcare and medical treatment of journalists. The Prime Minister said that whoever writes the best book on Sirat-ul-Nabawi (SAW) will be rewarded up to one crore. Stressing the need for promoting Islamic values and traditions, the PM said that besides teaching science there was a dire need to get the new generation acquainted with the great teachings of the Prophet (PBUH).
Hailing the scenic beauty of Jhelum Valley, the Prime minister said that the government has called-out a comprehensive strategy to build infrastructure to promote tourism in the area. “Special plans are being brought for the development of small-scale industries in the region”, he said, adding that promotion of small scale industries in the region was imperative for creating employment opportunities and boosting the local economy.
He said that the protection of the natural environment and good-treatment of tourists was key to attracting visitors. In order to ensure good-governance, the PM said that ministries have been given a 3-month target to show their performance. “The one who fails to do so would be shown the door”, he added.
The prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan said that the Jhelum valley has produced many towering personalities like Raja Haider Khan, Sahibzada Muhammad Ishaq Zafar, Munshi Ali Gohar and Pir Sikandar Shah Sahib
He announced to name the Jamia Kashmir Jhelum Valley Campus after former Minister for Political and Social Affairs Ali Khan Chughtai. He said that institutions or roads would also be named after Raja Haider Khan, Sahibzada Ishaq Zafar, KH Khurshid and Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas.
Addressing the function, Minister for Government Diwan Ali Khan Chughtai while welcoming the prime minister said that Jhelum Valley is the gateway to Kashmir. The day, he said, was not far when Kashmir will be free and we will be able to visit Srinagar. Mr. Chughtai appreciated Prime Minister for his vision and said that the PM has started working for the development and prosperity of the people of the region in line with the vision of Party chairman Imran Khan.
The Parliamentary Secretary Prof. Taqdees Gilani, former PTI candidate Syed Zeeshan Haider, Sahibzada Ashfaq Zafar and others also addressed the ceremony.
