ISLAMABAD: The Finance Ministry has proposed to release Rs 9.284 billion to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the current financial year.
Total development outlay for AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is of Rs 96.391 billion for the financial year 2014-2015.
“Moreover out of remaining 20%, an amount of 2613.813 million has also been allocated for development activities in AJ&K territory during the current financial year through Minister‘s Development Schemes,” a source told this scribe on Saturday.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) have peculiar status. The GB government is run by the Gilgit Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order 2009; and the AJ&K government is run under AJ&K Interim Constitution Act 1974.
“The Finance Ministry is taking a number of steps to improve the economic conditions of both the areas and uplifting the socio-economic position of the people by providing funds through Annual Development Programmes (ADP) and Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP),” the source said.
He said that the Federal Government was giving subsidy in the shape of transportation and handling charges of wheat to people of Gilgit Baltistan.
“Presently the sale price of subsidised wheat in GB is Rs 11 per kg as compared to Rs 33.25 in Pakistan,” the source said, adding that government was also taking keen interest to improve the infrastructure of both the areas.
“In this context, several mega projects like Diamer Basha Dam Project, Mangla Dam Raising Project, Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project,” he named the projects, adding that the projects were being implemented in collaboration with different ministries/divisions.
Moreover the source said that proposals of Rawalakot Airport and feasibility study for construction of new rail link from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad were also a step forward to improve the infrastructure of the area.
The source observed that ERRA had substantial contribution for infrastructure rehabilitation in the wake of disastrous earthquake of Oct, 2005. “Both the GB and AJ&K councils act as a linkage between the Government of Pakistan and governments of GB and AJ&K respectively,” the source added.
The source said that AJK Council released 80% of the net income tax collection from AJ&K territory for use in AJ&K despite the fact that the government was taking interest to improve the economy of the Gilgit Baltistan through various interventions.
“One of the significant initiatives is Pakistan-China Economic Corridor from China to Gwadar and completion of this project will open GB to China and other Western countries through Gwadar,” the source added. He also said that other sectors were hydro power generation, transport and communication; education and health.
“Likewise, the same steps are being taken for the area of ADP of AJ&K is also financed by the Government of Pakistan through development grant/loans” the source observed saying that Finance Ministry had identified seven key sectors in AJ&K like human resource development for manpower export including development of transport and communication, hydro power potential, tourism development, minerals resource exploitation, rural agriculture development and SMEs/growing business.”
The source said that not only the Finance Ministry, but the prime minister was also taking keen interest in uplifting the economic position of the people and developing and improving the infrastructure of the areas.
“In this connection, several PM directives have been given by the Prime Minister‘s Office,” he observed.
Similarly the source said further the Finance Ministry released the Zakat amount from Central Zakat Fund to the GB Zakat Fund as per formula (18.57% of 7% share of Federal Share) as well as AJ&K and GB students were also covered for laptop distribution under Prime Minister of Pakistan Youth Program/Scheme.
