Muzaffarabad, (Parliament Times) : President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry has said that it was high time that the international community should come forward in a big way to help resolve the lingering dispute that has been the main cause and consequence of unrest and human rights violations in the region.
While addressing an Iftar dinner hosted in his honor by former government advisor Sardar Tabarak here today, the president said that he had also drawn the attention of ambassadors of Islamic countries towards the dire situation in occupied Kashmir seeking their respective countries’ pivotal role to resolve the longstanding dispute peacefully.
He said that Muslim countries have always supported the Kashmiris’ legitimate right for self-determination.He expressed the hope that the Muslim Ummah would continue its role in ensuring the right of self-determination.
Expressing his serious concern over India’s relentless suppression of Kashmiris’ political and human rights, Barrister Chaudhry said, “It is our collective responsibility to utilize our freedom to amplify the voice of our brothers and sisters in occupied Kashmir whose voice has been suppressed under the draconian laws”.
Referring to the Jagran Hydro Power Project, he said that the project launched during his previous government was now generating revenue of 8 billion rupees, while its monthly income is about 40 million rupees.”
Azad Kashmir will achieve self sufficiency in electricity if similar projects are initiated”, he remarked.
The president also highlighted several significant initiatives, including the provision of Sui gas to Mirpur city, which were initiated under his government.
The president said that he was trying to seek Sui gas supply to Muzaffarabad as well. The president said that construction of Mirpur-Muzaffarabad-Mansehra Motorway, establishing CPEC Business Center and Airport at Mirpur and restoration and expansion of airports at Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad were among his top priorities. On this occasion, Minister of State Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid, former advisor to the government and host Sardar Tabarak, former minister of state Chaudhry Maqbool Ahmed, Presidential Advisor Sardar Imtiaz Khan, former Chief Justice Chaudhry Muhammad Ibrahim Zia, Raja Madad, Munir Sulehria, Imtiaz Abbasi, and others were also present.