HATTIAN BALA (Kashmir English): Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Jammu and Kashmir (JI-AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan Dr. Raja Muhammad Mushtaq has warned the government to hit the streets if Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Huq fails to provide land for the Jhelum Valley university within two weeks.
Addressing a press conference at the District Press Club Hattian Bala, Dr. Raja Muhammad Mushtaq said that the future of thousands of youth has been put at risk due to the government’s lack of interest and the lack of seriousness of elected public representatives.
Additionally, Dr. Raja Muhammad Mushtaq stated that the provision of basic facilities including education, health is the constitutional responsibility of the state, but the issue of university accommodation in Jhelum Valley district has been openly robbed of the right to education of students.
According to Emir JI AJK, Former Prime Minister Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan and other rulers elected from here have completely failed to provide quality educational environment and permanent accommodation.
He said that Jhelum Valley is an important district in historical and geographical terms, which is also the gateway to the Kashmir freedom movement.
The development and prosperity of this area is linked to the success of the freedom movement. Unfortunately, the political leadership has failed miserably in fulfilling its duties, due to which the people have become disappointed and uncertain.
Dr. Raja Muhammad Mushtaq said that according to the policy of the Higher Education Commission, it is mandatory to establish university campuses in every district so that the quality of education is high and the youth can compete academically and professionally at the global level.
Under this policy, the committee has been reviewing various places since 2015, suitable places have been identified, even the Revenue Department has imposed a ban on the purchase, sale and construction of land under Section 14, but today 2025 has come and despite the passage of ten years, no practical progress has been made.
He said that instead of providing a permanent place to the university, the government has issued orders to merge it with already established small institutions, which is not only frivolous but also tantamount to playing with the future of the students.
According to Higher Education Commission (HEC), hundreds of kanals of land, quality educational environment and presence of various departments are mandatory for a university campus, while the capacity of a university is not possible in a small college building.
He said that the government had promised to provide an alternative place after a three-year agreement with the inter-college, which has not been fulfilled yet.
The government and the elected representatives are showing complete irresponsibility, due to which thousands of students and their parents have been burdened with the expensive expenses of other cities.
Dr. Mushtaq said that the right to education of the people of Jhelum Valley should be restored, and the Prime Minister should immediately resolve this issue.
The feasibility report has been lying for the last ten years, according to which accommodation should be arranged at a suitable place. He demanded that the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq take practical steps regarding the university accommodation within two weeks.
Finally, he stressed that the government should take urgent steps to make Jhelum Valley district a model district and raise the standard of education, hold those responsible accountable and give students their constitutional and fundamental rights.
He appealed to all political and social forces, students and the public to unite on this important national issue and play their role.
Other leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, including Raja Nazakat Advocate, Shahnawaz Khan, Raja Naqeeb, Raja Osama and others were also present on the occasion.
