MIRPUR: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Minister for Industries and Tourism Chaudhry Abdul Rehman Araiyan has said several major development projects for Mirpur would be announced by Prime Minister Iftikhar Gillani during his first visit to the district later this month under the government’s 100-day plan.
Addressing a reception hosted in his honour by a local Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader on Tuesday, the minister said Mirpur, home to millions of Kashmiri expatriates and Mangla Dam affectees, held a significant place in the region’s identity. He appreciated overseas Kashmiris for their contributions to Pakistan’s economic development and said the PML-N leadership and AJK government were committed to addressing the issues faced by the people of Mirpur.
The ceremony was presided over by newly elected Kashmir Council member Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, while other political and community leaders also spoke.
Araiyan said the government was prioritising industrial development, tourism and sports under its 100-day plan. He added that sports leagues would be organised in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Kotli to engage young people and students in healthy activities. An overseas Kashmiris portal was also being established to facilitate expatriates in resolving their issues and provide information about government initiatives. He said programmes similar to those launched in Punjab, including the Suthra Kashmir cleanliness initiative and a laptop scheme, would also be introduced in AJK.
The minister said the PML-N leadership had taken measures to prevent Pakistan from defaulting and that a new phase of development was being launched in AJK.
Presiding over the reception, Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed highlighted the deteriorating condition of Mirpur’s industrial estate, describing it as a centre of struggling industries due to flawed policies of successive governments. He urged the incumbent government to take practical steps to revive sick industrial units, attract investment and restore the district’s industrial potential.