MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the preparations for hosting the Overseas Kashmiri Conference.
During the meeting, threadbare discussions were held on exploring investment opportunities and accelerating pace of development in different sectors including the tourism, IT and hydropower sectors.
The meeting expressed optimism that the conference would prove instrumental in improving the economic outlook and growth of Azad Kashmir, while also helping forge a sustainable and long-term partnership between overseas Kashmiris and the people of Azad Kashmir.
The meeting decided to notify a committee to resolve the issues of overseas Kashmiris on priority basis. The participants also decided to take practical measures to improve local economy by reducing unemployment, upgrading existing infrastructure and promoting tourism as well as industrial development across the state.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore directed the relevant forums to identify investment-worthy sectors and spots across Azad Kashmir. He also sought proposals for investment from concerned authorities so that the government can formulate an effective strategy for economic improvement and investment.
Overseas Kashmiri conference a game-changer
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said that overseas Kashmiris constitute a valuable asset for the state. The overseas Kashmiri conference, he said, will prove to be a game-changer in terms of attracting foreign investment to the region.
He said that Azad Kashmir offers massive investment opportunities in tourism, industry, energy and IT sectors. Reiterating his commitment to addressing the region’s economic challenges such as the growing unemployment, he said that effective measures would be taken to create a conducive environment for investment through the establishment of Special Economic Zones and a One-Window Operation.
“The local population will also be given priority in investment,” he said, adding that the government would take citizen-centric measures to ensure that the region’s deprivations are effectively addressed. The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed, government ministers Sardar Javed Ayub, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Sardar Zia Al-Qamar, advisor to the government Sardar Fahad Yaqoob, Chief Secretary Azad Kashmir Khushal Khan, secretaries to the government Zafar Mahmood, Qazi Inayat, Hassan Masood, Naeem Bismil, Rashid Hanif, Chairman TEVTA Chaudhry Tayyab and others.
