Resolution of Kashmir issue key to regional stability: PM
Updated at: 1930 PST, Friday, September 11, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said resolution of core issue of Kashmir was the key to good ties with India and for peace and stabilit of South Asia.
Talking to Prime Minister of Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Muhammad Yaqub Khan here at the PM House, the Prime Minister said lasting peace in the region and the world can be ensured only if a solution to the long standing dispute of Jammu and Kashmir was found.
The Prime Minister accorded approval for fortification of Muzaffarabad Dam at a cost of Rs. 42 million. He also directed release of funds for construction of Wapda Model Town in Muzaffarabad.
Sardar Yaqub Khan thanked Prime Minister Gilani for approving the proposals for increasing induction in police force, increasing their capacity and establishment of Police Training College.
Sardar Yaqub briefed the Prime Minister about the progress on the Urban Development Programme in AJK, payment of remaining tranches of compensation to the completed houses in Rural Housing and construction on Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot Campuses of King Abdullah University of AJK and District Headquarters Complex Bagh and Rawalakot.
He informed the Prime Minister that Rs. 13 billion have been spent during the preceding financial year in AJK on Reconstruction Programme while expected expenditure on the under-execution and project under process of award was estimated at Rs. 27 billion.
He said slow progress in the education sector was affecting the overall progress and special strategy was being devised to expedite the pace or reconstruction work.
The meeting also discussed matters relating to the release of funds against AJK PSDP for 2009-10, construction of Lower Topa-Kohala Express Way, provision of natural gas to Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and Mirpur, enhancement in allocation for the Rathoa-Harryam Bridge Mirpur project and waiving off of conditions imposed on Payara Kashmir Program.
AJK Prime Ministers participation in the meeting of OIC Contact Group on Kashmir on the sidelines of the forthcoming UN General Assembly session was also discussed.
Resolution of Kashmir issue key to regional stability: PM