Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan has discussed about the development schemes being implemented in AJK as part of WAPDA projects with WAPDA chairman Lt-Gen Muzammil Hussain (retd) during his visit of WAPDA House on Saturday.
Paying homage to the sacrifices of the people and support by the government of AJK in completion of WAPDA projects, Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project in particular, the chairman reiterated his resolve for early completion of the development schemes under Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project for mitigating the environmental impact in downstream areas and socio-economic uplift of the locals. He assured the Prime Minster that environmental flows and the needs of drinking water downstream Neelum Jhelum Project weir at Nauseri would continue to be fulfilled in consonance with the environmental studies.
The AJK Prime Minister was briefed that the sum of Rs 2.27 billion, which was initially earmarked, has been increased to Rs 5.231 billion for 22 development schemes/projects being carried out by AJK government, for which WAPDA is providing its fullest support. He congratulated WAPDA on completion and commissioning of all four generating units of strategically important Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project. He expressed the hope that the project will go a long way in progress and prosperity of Pakistan and AJK alike. The progress on community development schemes under Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project was reviewed in detail during the meeting. It was agreed that all stakeholders would make concerted efforts for completion of the ongoing community development schemes at the fast pace. The matter relating to tripartite agreement among the federal Government, AJK government and WAPDA was also discussed in the meeting. The AJK Chief Secretary and Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company (NJHPC) Chief Executive Officer were also present during the meeting.