Taubut/Halmat, (Parliament Times) : Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar Haq has assured an adequate supply of food and medicines for the people of Neelum valley before the fall of winter.
While addressing reception ceremonies hosted in his honour by the local people at Taubut and Halmat villages, the PM announced the construction of a 10-km link road between the picturesque hamlets, posting of a gynecologist for RHC Halmat and supply of food and medicines in the area by the end of November.
The PM said that he had issued instructions to concerned authorities for stocking up and availability of essential food commodities and medicines in the upper areas of Neelum. He said that the most important role in the approval of RHC was that of GOC Major General Muhammad Irfan. He said that one and a half billion rupees were spent on the Neelum highway.The construction of the highway, he said, was pivotal to the region’s development. To promote the sapphire economy, the PM said that the government would provide all possible resources to improve the road infrastructure.The PM said that the government would leave no stone unturned in eliminating backwardness of the area and bringing people of the region at par with the people of other areas of the state.On the occasion, the PM lauded the Pakistan army’s significant role in defending the country and safeguarding people of the area. He also hailed the elected representatives’ role in improving the lives of common masses. The PM, however, maintained that the state needs ample resources to fulfill the public demands.” If the government will only provide free electricity and flour to citizens then there will be no resources left for the development of the state”, the PM said, adding that there was a dire need to adopt targeted subsidy. He said that under the social protection fund the poor and needy people would get a reasonable amount as subsistence allowance at their doorsteps.He said that Zakat would be spent on the poor and needy people as per the established principles of Sharia and Islam.
The PM also stressed on forest conservation and promoting the green economy. Tampering with nature, he said, would have adverse effects on the environment. Earlier, on his arrival the PM Haq was accorded a warm welcome by the locals.The PM, on the occasion, extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people of the area for their warm hospitality.During his visit to the remote villages of the valley, the PM Ch. Anwar ul Haq was accompanied by PML-N president Shah Ghulam Qadir, ministers and other pertinent officials of the government.