MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 21: AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat on Monday welcomed Pakistan’s proposal of demilitarization of Kashmir and self-governance in its divided parts. “As prime minister of this part of Kashmir and on behalf of my Muslim Conference party I fully support this proposal,” he told a news conference at his partially collapsed official residence.

“This is high time to advance and implement this proposal. I would appeal to all concerned to play their role in this regard,” he said.

Sardar Hayat appreciated that President Gen Pervez Musharraf was breaking the deadlock on Kashmir in an environment where both sides had long shown inflexibility in their positions on the issue.

He pointed out that the proposal had also been welcomed by Kashmiri leaders on the other side of the Line of Control.

“People talk about aspirations of the Kashmiris. I believe this proposal reflects those aspirations because it has been welcomed by Kashmiri leaders from all shades.”

Referring to the relief and reconstruction-related issues, he said: “Let me declare that the capital is not going to be shifted anywhere. Muzaffarabad will remain the seat of the (AJK) government.”

However, he said, there were some options, subject to thorough consideration and consensus, to establish new settlements along the Jhelum Valley Road such as in Garhi Dopatta and Langarpura.

He said the reconstruction matters would take final shape in a week when the authorities concerned would visit Muzaffarabad. “I personally think that everyone whose house has been damaged would get Rs150,000 to Rs200,000 to rebuild his abode according to a set model.

“Allah willing, I am sure this area will regain its splendour soon,” he added.

The AJK premier asked the chief election commissioner to hold elections against the four AJK council seats that had been postponed last month in the wake of the quake. He also called for election against the AJK Legislative Assembly’s special seat for women which had fallen vacant due to the death in quake of Shireen Waheed, minister for social welfare.

In reply to a question about the compensation, he said over Rs3.5 billion had been distributed among survivors so far.