DASU - Besides the construction of the Dasu Hydro Power Project (DHPP), a new portion of 24-Kilometer Karakoram Highway (KKH) has also been started where a 180-meter long tunnel has been completed. 

Talking to media here, China Construction Company spokesperson Ameen Shah said the ground leveling for the road has been started over the 24-kilometer long new KKH section while 180-meter long tunnel has also been completed.

The bridges on nullahs and tunnels would be constructed on the new section of road while a new design had already been sent to the consultant for approval, he added. 

Ameen Shah revealed that after the completion of DHPP, the old KKH would sink into the lake water so the new section of 24 kilometers was under construction as an alternative. The spokesperson informed that the initial cost of the project was Rs 12 billion which could be increased with the passage of time.

He said the project had provided job opportunities to the locals while the affectees of the DHPP would also enjoy a new and modern road facility in the region. 

The company, besides this road, would also construct Masajid, Schools and Houses for the locals and affectees of the DHPP which would change their lifestyle, Ameen Shah said. The spokesperson said the new section of KKH would also provide a better travel experience to the commuters of the Northern areas.

Education basis of socio-economic change: AJK President

Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has said that only those nations which had promoted education and worked hard to ensure quality of education has achieved progress in the world. He said that education was the basis of socio-economic change and its was among many factors contributing to high literacy rate in Azad Kashmir today. One factor is the contribution by the social organizations working for promotion of education, the AJK President said while talking to a delegation of Sudhan Educational Conference (SEC) led by Maj (retd) Sardar Mushtaq which called on him at Jammu and Kashmir House here Saturday. 

The AJK President said that visible progress was made in the field of educational and social uplift in the liberated territory during last seven decades, but he added, in our opinion, the desired goal has not been achieved so far and more struggle is needed in this regard.

Appreciating the performance of the Sudhan Educational Conference, Sardar Masood Khan said that this oldest educational organization had played a key role in promotion of education and social development in the liberated territory. “The SEC has not only created awareness among the people about the significance of education and literacy, but it has also played an important role in reforming the society by eradicating the social evils,” he added.

Earlier, the delegation told the President that a part of the office of the Conference at Chota Gilla near Rawalakot has been devoted for the girls’ hostel while a big part of the property of the conference has also been provided to the University of Poonch on negligible price.

The delegation asserted that promotion of education and to put the liberated territory on the track of development is our top priority and their organization was providing both merit and need-based scholarships to the students of the entire Azad Jammu and Kashmir without any discrimination.