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Govt striving to make AJK self-reliant, says Sultan

From a correspondent

MUZAFFARABAD: AJK Prime Minister Sultan Mehmood Choudhary on Friday said his government was striving to make AJK economically self-reliant by developing hydel power, tourism and industry.

He was addressing a big mammoth of party workers here at a Eid Millan party organized by PPP district Muzaffarabad, he announced that 30.5 Mega watts giant hydel power project Jagrain will be completed up to March 31 this year which will meet the power requirement of the capital city.

He said that the work on Gulpur Kotli Hydel power project is also under progress.

He stated that AJK has the deposits of minerals which would be explored for the development of territory.

Sultan said that nature has enriched AJK with forest and number of other natural resources including tourism and hydro power potential and AJK government was making concrete efforts to develop these resources so that AJK can be made economically self-reliant.

He claimed that liberation of occupied Kashmir and development of liberated territory are the priorities of his government.

We have made attempts to achieve self-reliance and we will keep taking steps for the development of AJK and eradication of corruption from here, the premier said claiming that non-developmental expenditures are being curtailed and maximum funds are being spend for the development of masses welfare projects.

The prime minister added that despite severe financial difficulties and budget cuts, his government has focused attention on development.

Among others, AJK senior minister Sahibzada Mohammed Ishaq Zaffar, former ministers Kh. Farooq Ahmed, Ch. Rafique Nayyar, Ch. Yaseen and Manzoor Hussain Shah were also present on the occasion.