WEBDESK: Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and seasoned diplomat, Sardar Masood Khan advocates, addressed an interactive session with researchers at the Centre for International Strategic Studies Azad Jammu and Kashmir (CISS-AJK).
During the session, he discussed AJK’s socio-economic progress and emphasised the need for further development to improve the lives of its people. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmir cause.
Masood Khan highlighted the region’s significant achievements in education and infrastructure. He said that AJK now boasts five universities, 11 regional campuses, three medical colleges, and over 100 colleges. He specifically mentioned District Poonch’s literacy rate of 85%, showcasing the region’s educational advancements.
On infrastructure, he shared the transformation from a single dirt road connecting Muzaffarabad to Srinagar to a well-connected network of roads linking remote villages to major cities in AJK and Pakistan. This progress, he said, has improved accessibility and economic activity across the region.
Masood Khan also discussed AJK’s potential in hydropower and tourism. He encouraged policymakers to harness the region’s natural resources and scenic beauty to boost clean energy production and attract tourists. “Our region has immense potential for growth, and we must unlock it to benefit our people,” he said.
He also urged leaders to focus on public concerns and strengthen the connection between elected representatives and citizens. He stressed that understanding and addressing people’s needs is key to sustainable development.
On the Kashmir issue, Masood Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the self-determination of the people in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK). He expressed concern over the decline in global attention to the matter, particularly after the revocation of IOJK’s special status in August 2019. “We must ensure that the world does not forget the plight of the Kashmiri people,” he said.
Dr Asma Shakir Khwaja, Executive Director of CISS-AJK, also spoke at the session, praising Masood Khan’s leadership and his contributions to the Kashmir cause. The event concluded with a presentation of a souvenir to Sardar Masood Khan, honouring his efforts to advance AJK’s development and advocate for Kashmir.
