Islamabad: The Federal Governments assured to take instant measures for helping AJK government overcome its financial crises. The assurance came following AJK president Sardar Masood Khan’s crucial meeting with the Federal Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Saturday.
The AJK President took up with Federal Finance Minister Issues relating to financial grant, AJK’s share in federal taxes and significant increase in the development budget of Azad Kashmir. The president also demanded increase in Mangla Dam water use charges up to Rs 1.10 per unit against the current payment @ Rs 0.17 per unit.
The President told the federal minister that AJK has limited financial resources and meet budget deficit from federal grant that needs to be increased. The President further told the finance minister that AJK is facing acute financial crisis as state government did not have the funds to pay salaries to employees and pension due to bank overdraft.
The Development Budget of AJK is only Rs 10 billion and state government cannot start new development projects due to want of funds, president demanded increase in development budget and AJK’s share in federal taxes.
The Federal Finance Minister assured that immediate necessary steps would be taken for provision of grant to AJK and increase in water use charges to help AJK make its budget balanced after consultation with concerned ministries. Ishaq Dar said that government of Prime Ministrer Nawaz Sharif is keenly interested to see AJK developed and at par with other parts of Pakistan.
Meanwhile AJK Secretary Finance gave a detailed briefing to President Sardar Masood Khan at Kashmir House Islamabad. President urged that new avenue generation should be explored to increase the revenue of the state and strict financial disciple should be adopted to save state resources. The President directed for preparation of comprehensive policy to get increased grants from federal government and national finance commission.