islamabad
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday asked the federal government to increase the annual budget allocation for the AJK in the upcoming budget for the financial year 2015-2016.
The demand of increasing annual budget came during a meeting of Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chaudhry Abdul Majeed with the Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Abid Ali, Chief Secretary AJK, who was also present in the meeting, briefed the finance minister about important issues faced by the AJK government.
Chief secretary requested the finance minister to look into the possibility of increasing annual budget allocation for AJK. The finance minister said that although due to economic difficulties arising from recent floods, displacement of large number of people due to the war on terror, the burden on national exchequer had increased manifold but still the federal government would facilitate AJK government in every possible way. The finance minister directed Secretary Finance to have a detailed sitting with Chief Secretary AJK and see to it that the AJK government was extended due support and assistance.
Finance minister said, “Sacrifices have been given by the people of Kashmir and we would like to help them in their development plans. We have already approved their rationalized recruitment plan and would like to extend every possible help to them in solving the issues”. The finance minister assured PM AJK that the issue of Mangla Dam affectees will be resolved on emergency basis as soon as the requisite budget is approved. He also directed WAPDA and IRSA authorities to visit AJK as soon as possible and hold meetings with the regional authorities and formulate a strategy to resolve their issues in the shortest possible time.
PM AJK thanked the Finance Minister for sparing time for the meeting and having an open discussion in a cordial atmosphere. He said that he was confident with all out support from the Finance Minister; various issues faced by the AJK government would be amicable resolved.  At the outset, Chaudhry Abdul Majeed expressed grief and sorrow over the sad and tragic incident of Karachi. He prayed for complete peace and security in Pakistan.