ISLAMABAD - Expressing his resolve to make AJK a load-shedding free zone, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif pledged health package, settlement of tarrif issues and early resolution of the issues relating to Mangala Dam affectees.
During his meeting with AJK Prime Minister Ch. Abdul Majeed who called on him here on Thursday, Premier Nawaz asserted that all issues of the AJK would be resolved on priority basis.
AJK Prime Minister Ch. Abdul Majeed had raised the issue of extended and unscheduled power suspension in AJK and asked the federal government to give the administrative powers of the allocated 350 MW of electricity to AJK government so that it could manage unhindered provision of the power to all the districts of the state.
The AJK prime minister emphasized on the implementation of the electricity allotted quota, opertionalisation of Tararkhal Azadpatan and Mangla Kolti lines and bringing water uses charges of Neelum Jehlum project at par with KP. The prime minister affirmed that all the funds will be released while lifting the ban of Pakistan Finance Division, along with the unhindered provision of the power to AJK. He also accepted the invitation of AJK prime minister to visit AJK in last week of December. The prime minister AJK thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for taking keen interest in the development of AJK.
Later in a high-level meeting, the federal government decided to declare AJK as load-shedding free zone with the assurance of providing the state with required 350 MW of electricity along with equalling of Water Uses Charges of Neelum Jehlum project to KP and giving AJK administrative powers of the allotted electricity
Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif directed federal secretary water & power to resolve the issues of the AJK government as per their demands as soon as possible. The federal secretary suggested that the administrative powers of the allotted 350 MW of electricity for AJK should be handed over to AJK government. He further suggested AJK government to constitute a board to take the administrative control of the said power. The meeting agreed upon the suggestion. The federal minister asked the federal secretary to arrange a meeting in consultation with Minister for Kashmir Affairs and other relevant officials, so that these issues of AJK government could be settled at earliest possible time.