ISLAMABAD: Around 99 percent fund was utilized for development work in Azad Jammu & Kashmir during 2017-18 which speaks volumes of the development need in the region. It was told in the meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan held here on Thursday under the Chairmanship of Senator Sajid Mir.
The meeting was attended among others by Senator Lt.Gen (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi, Senator Anwar Lal Dean, Senator Shaheen Khalid Butt, Senator Dr. Shehzad Waseem, and senior officers of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs Gilgit Baltistan, Government of Gilgit Baltistan and the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The Committee was briefed in detail about the development work in AJK & GB during the last five years.
Regarding AJK, the Committee was briefed on the socio-economic indicators such as per capita power availability, rural urban ratio, unemployment rate, literacy percentage, etc.
The Committee was informed that the development programs had been formulated with a view to translate Government of Pakistan’s vision, goals and objectives into five year plans.
Deliberating on overall investment, the Committee was informed that there has been 99 percent utilization of funds during 2017 -18 and that alone speaks volumes of the development needed in the region.
Establishment of Bomb Disposal Services along six sub-divisions located along the LoC, Forest plantation on 45231 acres of land, ensuring drinking water supply to nine districts and free emergency medicines to DHQ hospitals and provision of interest free loans for social enterprise development were miles tones that were achieved in AJK.
Regarding Gilgit Baltistan, the Committee was informed about the year-wise utilization and allocation of funds.
Deliberating over the issue, it was revealed that the electricity demand-supply gap was a major issue that Gilgit and Baltistan faced at this point and donors were required for power sector projects.
In addition, delay in CPEC projects, lack of M&E system, lack of coordination and due diligence and quality issues were other challenges that are being faced by the Government of Gilgit and Baltistan.
Tourism, energy, infrastructure, education, health and nutrition, clean drinking water and sanitation etc were listed as priority sectors for the next five years. Regarding tourism, the Committee was informed that the Souter/AJK link is imperative for its promotion in the region.
Senator Shaheen Khalid Butt was of the view that the Committee needs to look into matters of occupied Kashmir and the atrocities committed there. He recommended that the Kashmir Office must be opened in every country.
The Committee recommended that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs be summoned in the next meeting.
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