Flood in Azad Kashmir: 41 dead, 21 injured

Muzaffarabad: Azad Kashmir Finance and Inland Revenue Minister Abdul Majid Khan have said that Pakistan is an equal sharer in the suffering of the flood victims. The clock will not leave you alone. During the recent rains, severe damage was also done in Azad Kashmir, 41 people died in Azad Kashmir, 21 people were injured and 458 houses and 17 shops were destroyed. Said Azad Kashmir Finance and Inland Revenue Minister,

Be it the earthquake of 2005 or the flood of 2010, Pakistan has always helped the people of Azad Kashmir. The government of Pakistan is working lazily in disbursing money to Azad Kashmir at the rate of 3.64% fixed under the fiscal agreement, due to which it is facing problems. Azad Kashmir is the first line of defense, I appeal to the Government of Pakistan to reconsider its approach.

Kashmiris associated their future with Pakistan before the establishment of Pakistan. The government of Pakistan should avoid such behavior that weakens the relationship. Under the 2018 fiscal agreement, the government of Azad Kashmir is to receive 74 billion rupees. If the federal government will not give the full amount to Azad Kashmir in difficult circumstances, where will it meet the expenses and how will the people’s problems be solved? The people of Kashmir are standing by the side of the Pakistan Army. The Prime Minister and the government of Azad Kashmir are trying to provide full relief to the people in this difficult time. He expressed these views while addressing a press conference at the Central Press Club. Director Information Muhammad Bashir Mirza was also present on this occasion.

Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan said that Pakistan’s Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and Advisor on Kashmir Affairs Qamar-ul-Zaman have given a written commitment to fulfill which they are working tirelessly and Azad Kashmir is being treated like a step-mother.

He said there are funds for Hyderabad Karachi and Multan Motorway, and there is a budget of 70 billion for Nala Lai, but 28 billion for Azad Kashmir is not being given. He said that due to the recent rains and floods, the water level in Gulpur is 135 cusecs, 1000 cusecs in Mangla, 345 cusecs in Nosari Dam, and 153 cusecs in Palindri, the government is taking action to provide full relief to the victims.

He said that in a meeting with Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, and Advisor on Kashmir Affairs Qamar-ul-Zaman, it was decided to increase the salaries, ad hoc relief, and pension of the employees in Azad Kashmir, but this written commitment has not been implemented so far. He said that Imran Khan gave a development package of 500 billion for the construction and development of Azad Kashmir and to reduce the problems of the people here, it should also be released immediately. Imran Khan gave the entire budget to the then PML-N government in Azad Kashmir, but also increased the budget of Azad Kashmir by 7 billion. He said that our hearts beat with Pakistan. The government of Pakistan should consider this negative attitude. The Prime Minister of Pakistan should direct the Finance Minister to fulfill his commitment and give funds to Azad Kashmir.