MUZAFFARABAD: Many important decisions have been made during the Azad Kashmir cabinet meeting. To assist skilled young people, women, transgender people, and people with disabilities in starting their enterprises, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) cabinet has approved a Rs1 billion interest-free loan initiative. The state will pay the markup in full.
Interest-free loan scheme for the deserving
Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan briefed the media on the proceedings of the 29th cabinet session, which was chaired earlier in the day by Prime Minister (PM) Chaudhry Anwarul Haq. He emphasised that the selection process for deserving, skilled youth under the loan scheme would be conducted strictly on merit, without any bias based on region, tribe, politics, or gender.
He further stated that the AJK government would cover the markup on these loans and hinted at a possible increase in the initial Rs1 billion allocation in the future.
When asked about the eligibility of Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan, the finance minister confirmed that they, too, would qualify for loans under the scheme, provided they meet the specified criteria.
“To be clear, the eligibility requirements for these loans will be under State Bank guidelines, and the use of funds will be closely monitored,” he added.
Other important topics were also discussed in the Azad Kashmir cabinet meeting.
Amendments to Local Government Act & Development Projects
The finance minister also announced that amendments to the Local Government Act had been approved based on recommendations from a cabinet committee, aimed at empowering local government representatives. Additionally, Rs 1 billion was allocated for development projects under the elected representatives.
Formation of Climate Change Task Force
Recognising the severe environmental challenges caused by climate change, such as dwindling water sources and declining agricultural productivity, the cabinet established a Task Force on Climate Change. “This task force has been granted full authority to define its Terms of Reference (ToR), conduct visits both within and outside the country, and take necessary measures to counter environmental impacts,” the minister stated.
Health Card Scheme & Higher Education Policies
The finance minister shared that Health Minister Nisar Ansar Abdali had been directed to finalise the implementation of the health card scheme within a few days. Furthermore, a policy for contract employees in the higher education sector was approved during the Azad Kashmir cabinet meeting, with plans for further refinements before its public release.
Appointment of AJK Chief Election Commissioner
Regarding the appointment of the AJK Chief Election Commissioner, Abdul Majid Khan stated that a panel of nominees would soon be submitted to the Chairman of the AJK Council (Prime Minister of Pakistan) for final selection.
“I am confident that this constitutional position will be filled soon,” he assured during the Azad Kashmir cabinet meeting.
Law & Order Review
The cabinet was also briefed on the law and order situation by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rana Abdul Jabbar, expressing overall satisfaction with the security conditions. The recent attack on the convoy of Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar was extensively discussed during the Azad Kashmir cabinet meeting.
“Chaudhry Latif Akbar is a respected senior political leader, and beyond that, this matter concerns the dignity of his constitutional office,” the minister noted.
He assured that all suspects involved in the attack would be held accountable strictly under the law, irrespective of their political affiliations.
Kashmir Solidarity Day & Response to Indian Defense Minister’s Statement
The cabinet decided to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 in a significant manner, featuring various events. A special session of the Assembly is also planned, with a high-profile VVIP guest from Islamabad expected to address it.
The cabinet strongly condemned a recent statement by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding AJK, reaffirming that Kashmiris would not be intimidated by hollow threats. “The AJK government has formulated a comprehensive and strategic plan to safeguard its people against India’s hostile stance,” the minister said.
“India continues to deny our internationally recognised right to self-determination, while Pakistan remains our steadfast advocate on political, diplomatic, and moral grounds, something we deeply appreciate,” he concluded.
