MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq has said that no non-state residents will be recruited into the Azad Kashmir Rangers Force and that recruitments would be made transparently based on merit.
In an interview with a private news channel, the AJK premier said that the process of establishing the Rangers Force in the state has been completed, and a formal approval in this regard has also been sought from the relevant authorities.
“Necessary rules and procedures have also been developed for it, and its command and control system would also be similar to that of other law enforcement agencies of Azad Kashmir,” he added.
According to the AJK govt’s Press Information Deparement (PID) statement, the PM said, “the subversive attempts made by certain disruptive elements” aimed at making the Rangers Force controversial. “Those who are peddling lies and disseminating fake news will face the consequence.”
Emphasizing the significance of the local government system, Chaudhry also mentioned that ongoing negotiations with local government representatives have culminated successfully.
Moreover, the AJK PM added that a “Counter-Terrorism Department” was being established to counter terrorism in the region. He also praised the armed forces for their significant contribution in safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country and its people.
“The Pakistan Army has been making immense sacrifices on the LoC for the past 77 years”, he said.
Despite a deficit of Rs 71 billion, the PM said that the government has ensured the timely disbursement of funds to all the relevant institutions. “In addition to providing funds to local government institutions, the government has paid salaries to employees ahead of Eid”, he said, adding that projects lying dead for years have also been revived and made operational.
He expressed optimism that AJ&K Bank would achieve a scheduled bank status by the end of June this year.
Referring to India’s nefarious designs in the region, he said the Indian intelligence agency “RAW” in collaboration with other enemy forces, was conspiring to destabilize Pakistan.
In addition to that, the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir thanked the federal government for its all-out support, cooperation, and timely release of funds.
He also praised Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif for his role and keen interest in the establishment of the Daanish School System worth Rs3 billion. Prime Minister Haq said that the Shountar Tunnel project will also start soon with the cooperation of the federal government. “Rs 7 to 8 billion rupees will be spent on power installations and infrastructure.
The coalition government, he said, has successfully managed to pay 85 per cent of its liabilities.”State institutions that were running into losses, including medical colleges, have also been made profitable”, he maintained.
