UAJK launches landmark Economic Conference to Shape Region’s Future

MUZAFFARABAD, May 08 (SABAH): The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) is set to inaugurate a pioneering conference focusing on the economic landscape of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Titled ” The Economy of AJK: Unlocking the Potential,” the event commences on May 9th at the scenic King Abdullah Campus at Chatter Kallas.

Distinguished attendees from academia, research, and industry, alongside national and regional economists, will convene to delve into critical economic discourse during the two-day conference.

Organized in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), the conference’s opening ceremony will take place at the King Abdullah Campus Chatter. The ceremony will feature addresses by notable figures including former Prime Minister of AJK, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan; Chairman of the Higher Education Commission Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed; Vice Chancellor UAJK Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi; Vice Chancellor PIDE. Dr. Nadeem ul Haque; Director Kashmir Institute of Economics (KIE) Prof. Dr. Samina Sabir and others.

The conference aims to foster collaboration and chart a sustainable economic trajectory for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with discussions spanning tourism, skill development, industrial policies, investment promotion, and infrastructure development.

Among the esteemed speakers in the first session are Additional Chief Secretary General Ms. Midhat Shahzad, Inspector General Police AJK Dr. Sohail Habib Tajik, Managing Director of Hydroelectric Board Khawaja Masood, Director General of Information Technology Board Dr. Khalid Rafique, Chief Executive Officer Gulf Empire Shahzeb Shabir Khan, and Representative from Franklin and Marshall College USA Dr. Danish Khan.

The second session will feature Additional Chief Secretary General Ms. Midhat Shahzad, Chief Manager State Bank of Pakistan Umar Shahzad, President Business Forum Azad Kashmir Imran Aziz Khan, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khaleeq from the School of Business of Mirpur University of Science and Technology.

In the third session, Chairman Higher Education Commission Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Vice Chancellor University of Poonch Rawalakot Prof. Dr. Zakaria Zakir, Vice Chancellor UAJK Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi, Secretary Higher Education AJK government Ch. Muhammad Tayyab, and Representative from UNDP Husnain Ali Gilani will share their insights.

The event will span two days, culminating on Friday, May 10th, with continued engagement through panel discussions, debates, and knowledge-sharing sessions.