Kaira assures relief assistance for AJK rain-hit areas

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Friday that the Federal Government would extend all possible assistance to the AJK government for the rehabilitation of flood victims. Addressing a press conference here after visiting the areas of AJK affected due to recent rains, Kaira assured that the Federal Government would not leave the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir alone in the hour of trial.
The minister said that the government and the people of Pakistan were concerned over the loss of life and damage to road infrastructure and property. He said that steps were underway to repair and restore the Neelum Highway damaged by the floods. The minister said that Federal Government would continue financial assistance to tap the natural resources of Azad Kashmir, including tourism and hydropower generation, which would usher in a new era of progress and economic activity in the area.
He said that the Federal Government was paying special attention towards water resources for the promotion of agriculture and hydropower. He said that the credit went to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government for the restoration of 1973 Constitution, NFC Award, Thar Coal project, Bhasha Dam and Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower generation projects.
He assured that the PPP government would resolve the problems of the people of Azad Kashmir on priority basis. Kaira said that the past governments had not focused on the power generation. Replying to a question, Kaira said that the philosophy of politics of reconciliation given by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was being implemented in Pakistan while the Azad Kashmir government was also following it.
Referring to the Kashmir dispute, the Information Minister reiterated the determination of Pakistan to continue all-out support for the Kashmiris right to self-determination. The government and the people of Pakistan will honour their commitment in this regard, he added.
He expressed the hope that the day was not far when the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir and Azad Kashmir would be united. AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed on the occasion thanked President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Incharge Political Affairs of PPP Mohtarma Faryal Talpur and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira for extending support to the AJK government.
"The Federal Government has extended full assistance to the Azad Kashmir government for the welfare, progress and prosperity of its people," he said. Earlier the Federal Minister visited different areas of Muzaffarabad, including Central Plate, Makri and Tariqabad. He also met the people of the affected areas and assured them earlier rehabilitation.