The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council in its 45th session held here at the PM House on Thursday with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in chair, passed its budget for the year 2010-2011 amounting to Rs 9,007.201 million and revised estimates for the year 2009-2010 amounting to Rs 6251.439 million.
Prime Minister Gilani in his opening remarks said that the government and the people of Pakistan remained committed to the just cause of Kashmiri people in their struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination. The Prime Minister assured that Pakistan would continue to extend political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He reminded that Pakistan had always stood for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council's resolutions and in line with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister pointed out that the Kashmiri youth and women have once again risen in protest against the policies of occupation forces.
He observed that the people across Pakistan feel the anguish, suffering and plight of the Kashmiri people as their own. The Council offered Fateha in the meeting for the martyrs who have laid down their lives in the heroic struggle for freedom in the Indian held Kashmir. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan wants an objective, sustainable, comprehensive and meaningful dialogue process with India which is critical for peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute.
He expressed readiness to embark upon a journey of peace in South Asia in order to provide a better life for the people of Pakistan and India for lasting peace and prosperity. He recalled that the cause and the right of self determination of the Kashmiri people remained very close to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's heart and it was he who had pleaded resolution of Kashmir dispute vehemently at all international fora, including the UN Security Council.
The Prime Minister observed that the resolution of Kashmir issue can usher in a new era of co-operation in South Asia. He believed that dialogue is the only way forward, therefore, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and he agreed in Thimpu in April this year to resume the dialogue process on all issues.
Minister Incharge of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council Secretariat Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo while presenting the budget informed that the share of AJK government is 66 percent of the total budget which is 50 percent higher than last year's budgeted share.
He further mentioned that as against the target of Rs 3850.00 million income tax collection from AJK, an amount of Rs 5352.350 million has been collected during the financial year 2009-10 almost 40 percent higher. In accordance with the National Austerity Policy, the Council saved an amount of Rs 131.750 million out of the non-development expenditure, which accounts for 16 percent of the budgeted allocation, he added.
While explaining the salient features of the current budget, the Minister Incharge said that the operational budget of Rs 5870.334 million is 10 percent of the total budget as against 12 percent operational budget of total budget during last financial year.
The budget includes 50 percent raise in the basic pay of employees of AJK with effect from 1st July 2010 in accordance with the financial relief given by the Government of Pakistan to its employees. The development budget amounting to Rs 2200.000 million, he mentioned, has been proposed for development purpose.
The Minister Incharge, in his concluding remarks, said that the shortfall between revenue receipts amounting to Rs 5796.853 million and the expected expenditure amounting to Rs 9007.201 will be met by firstly adopting economy measures, secondly by increasing income tax collection by revamping the department on modern lines, thirdly by drawal from Council Consolidation Fund and fourthly if required by disinvesting portion of Council's savings as a last resort. Prime Minister Gilani, who presided over the Council in his capacity as Chairman, appreciated the efforts of the Minister Incharge of AJK Council Secretariat, the members of the Council and the Government of AJK for proper and efficient management of the funds allocated in the budget.
The Prime Minister further mentioned that the establishment of University of Science and Technology for AJK in the development programme was a very positive approach and would help to bring about a change in the socio-economic life of the people as well as development in AJK. He agreed to personally inaugurate this project since education and health sectors were among his priorities.
The Prime Minister emphasised upon the AJK Council as well as the AJK government to focus on the completion of ongoing development projects. The projects on which 70 percent work has been done should be given top priority for completion within financial year, if possible, he added.
The Prime Minister approved the proposal given by the Prime Minister of AJK Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan and supported by the members of the Council to celebrate 2011 as the year of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister accepted to address the joint session of the AJK Parliament on one of the occasions to be organised by the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Zulqarnain Khan while expressing his views after the passage of the budget assured the Prime Minister of Pakistan that the allocated budget will be utilised in a most efficient and effective manner. He said the allocation made for the development would help to bring about socio-economic improvement in AJK. AJK Prime Minister Sardar Atique Ahmad Khan said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have full confidence in the support being extended by the leadership and people of Pakistan for the cause of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
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