President Zardari reiterates Pak’s commitment to continue to extend its moral, political & diplomatic support to the people of IIOJK

ISLAMABAD, April 29 (SABAH): Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, called on President Asif Ali Zardari, at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday.

The two discussed the overall situation of AJK, besides talking about issues related to the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Talking to the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, President Asif Ali Zardari said that AJK was blessed with immense potential for tourism and a beautiful landscape, which needed to be fully developed to attract tourists. He added that strengthening AJK’s tourism sector would help in its socio-economic uplift as well as generate economic activities in the area. He said that Pakistan would provide all possible support and assistance to facilitate investment in the diverse areas of AJK’s economy, especially the tourism sector. The President remarked that the youth of AJK needed to be equipped with the latest skills and education to enable them to find gainful employment, besides contributing to AJK’s development. He said that Pakistan could assist the government of AJK in benefiting from the carbon credit markets.

During the meeting, the President assured his support to the Prime Minister of AJK and his government. The Prime Minister requested the President to visit AJK and address the AJK Legislative Assembly. The President also expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives during the recent rain-related incidents in different parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and hoped that the AJK government would help the affected families. The President also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of IIOJK till the attainment of their right to self-determination. While condemning the human rights violations and the atrocities being committed by the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK, he called upon the international community to put pressure on India to end human rights violations being committed by its security forces and implement the UN Security Council resolutions.

Meanwhile the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Syed Mehdi Shah and the Chief Minister of GB, Gul Bar Khan, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday. During the meeting, the two informed the President about the development projects being undertaken by the government of GB. They also apprised the President about various issues being faced by the people of GB, particularly the lack of education and health facilities, and unemployment. They also requested the President to visit GB and address the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. Highlighting the potential of the area, the President said that GB had enormous hydroelectric potential that needed to be capitalized upon for its development. He said that GB was blessed with abundant natural resources, including mining, gems, and minerals, which should be fully explored and developed to bring economic prosperity to the area.

President Asif Ali Zardari underlined the need to initiate programs for the training and skill development of GB’s youth to equip them with employable skills as per market demand. He said that steps should also be taken to promote local businesses and economic activities to make GB self-sufficient, besides promoting inclusive and sustainable development in the area. The President called for accelerating infrastructure development in GB as well as focusing on strengthening the education and health sectors to bring it at par with other developed areas of the country.