AJK Govt always prioritieses dialogue provided demands stand within framework of constitution, law of the land: AJK PM Anwar-ul-Haq

Kashmir - آزاد جموں کشمیر , Snippets , / Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

Altaf Hamid Rao.

MIRPUR ( AJK): Sept. 16: Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq said that his government has always prioritised dialogue when demands were made within the framework of the constitution and the law of the land.

Speaking to an electronic media channel in the State metropolis late Monday, the AJK premier said that in the recent past the government had held cabinet-level talks with the Awami Action Committee, with two rounds concluding successfully. He added that the government remains open to dialogue if the committee wishes to engage.He, however, warned that when the writ of the state is challenged and youth are incited towards violence, the matter moves beyond politics and becomes a law-and-order issue.

Anwaar said the Joint Public Action Committee had initially launched its protests over the Neelum-Jhelum Hydel Project and inflated electricity bills.The demands put forth by the committee, he said, were generously accepted while keeping in view the larger interests of the people of the region.”Now that the committee’s demands have been met there is no justification for engaging in any such activities that not only disrupt normal life but also create a chaotic situation that benefits only our enemies”, he remarked.

The premier noted that Azad Kashmir has 33 constituencies representing 3.3 million people, and that an assembly of this size cannot be held hostage by a few thousand protestors.Referring to his government’s performance, the PM Haq said he inherited a debt of 10–11 billion rupees along with long standing disputes over cheap electricity and flour dating back to the Mangla Dam and Neelum-Jhelum projects.

Despite this, he added, a fiscal deficit of 70 billion rupees was managed this year through local resources.He highlighted reforms undertaken by his government including the abolition of VIP culture, auctioning of 400 official vehicles, strict financial discipline, and the introduction of e-tendering which, he claimed, saved 3.5 billion rupees.He said funds had been allocated for health cards, hospital upgradation, and education package.

“Three billion rupees have been earmarked for youth employment and 10 billion rupees for BISP survey were also allocated”, he added.On governance, he said 3,000 youth were recruited through NTS on merit. ” Public Service Commission was empowered, and 3,300 km of roads were being built with local resources”, the PM said , adding that the long-neglected police force was modernized with new vehicles and facilities, while stalled mega projects such as Rathua Haryam and Jagran Hydel had been revived.

Commenting on the action committee’s upcoming protests, Anwaar said that it was quite unfortunate that some groups with vested interests were attempting to escalate demonstrations into armed confrontation.On abolition of refugee seats, he said, “No political party, whether inside or outside the assembly, has supported their elimination.

”The prime minister also pointed to flood-related food security concerns, with wheat prices rising to 2,000–3,000 rupees per 40kg. He stressed that Azad Kashmir still enjoys low-cost electricity compared to the rest of the country.Haq praised the role of Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in internationalizing the Kashmir issue, saying the “Battle of Truth” had lifted the fog of uncertainty surrounding the Kashmir issue followed by India’s August 5, 2019 actions.

“The government will continue its mission of public service and will use all available resources to ensure public welfare,” the AJK Premier said.