Corruption-free Pakistan , basic spirit of PTI regime: Ali Amin

MIRPUR (AJK): Apr 04 (APP):Federal minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit / Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur said here on Thursday that the jurisdiction of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is being extended to Azad Jammu & Kashmir in order to wipe out corruption from its roots in the State.

He was talking to journalists at the residence of ex AJK Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry at his native village Khari, in outskirt of the city.

The federal minister continued that corruption-free Pakistan through recovery of the plundered public money from the accused was the prime and basic spirit of the manifesto of the popularly-elected government of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf in the country.

He accused the former rulers of Pakistan of bringing the country at the verge of economic destruction through the reign of massive corruption.

Gandapur categorically said that there should be no any objection to any of the political party over the arrival of NAB in AJK through expansion of its official jurisdiction to Azad Jammu Kashmir.

He said that ensuring check and balance and legitimate use of the public exchequer collected in form of taxes was the prime responsibility of every government.

Underling the priorities of the PTI government of making the country clean of every sort of corruption, the minister said that entire world was fully satisfied of the neat and clean character and popularity of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“For the very reason, massive investment has started landing in Pakistan”, he said adding “same is the name of change in Pakistan since arrival of PTI in power”.

The federal minister said that the PTI government was strictly acting upon its agenda for the speedy socio-economic progress and prosperity of all the four provinces of the country besides Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit / Baltistan without any discrimination.

He said that the federal government would provide funds for the completion of under-construction development projects in AJK, which were lying pending and delayed inordinately because of the ill-deeds and malpractices of previous governments in Pakistan, he added while referring to the inordinate delay in mega over Rs 6 billion 2.50 KM Mirpur-Islamgarh bridge over Mangla reservoir.

The minister also assured to address the long-standing issues of the Mangla dam affectees related to the resettlement and rehabilitation of the additional families particularly.

Ali Amin Gandapur said that government of Pakistan was providing due funds for launching new and completion of ongoing mega development projects of mass public welfare in AJK – besides close monitoring of the use of funds on the development projects in the state.

He revealed that the PTI government had raised the volume of AJK budget and not reduced it at all.

He categorically said that much-awaited longest Mirpur-Islamgarh (Rathua-Harrayam) bridge over scenic Mangla dam lake will be completed by December this year for all kind of vehicular traffic between Mirpur city and adjoining historic town of Islamgarh.

Referring to the rehabilitation of the unprovoked Indian firing affectees at the Line of Control in AJK, Federal Kashmir Affairs minister revealed that a grand attractive package for the LoC-affectees was being announced soon.

The proposed package will also carry free health cover through the Health Card to each family for medical treatment to the tune of Rs 7.50 lakh.

The minister categorically said that Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was not being vanished nor its name was being change.

“Rather government intend to expand this programme to facilitate the deserving with due financial assistance and help”, he added.

Ali Amin Gandapur said that no any change was being made in AJK chapter of Pakistan Tehreek –e-Insaf.

He added “ Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry is the party head of PTI in Azad Jammu Kashmir and will continue this office in future as well”.

Earlier, the minister visited the site of under-construction Mirpur-Islamgarh bridge over Mangla lake, which was lying abandoned since over last 14 years since the raising process of Mangla dam was started.

Expressing inordinate delay in completion of this mega project of exceptional significance, the federal minister directed the Project’s top officials including Chief Engineer Raja Jalil ur Rehman and Director Sheikh Arshad Mahmood for completion of the project in shortest possible stipulated timeframe.