ISLAMABAD: Speakers form the bigger political parties in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) said that the main issue in Azad Kashmir is sustainable revenue generation and gave little importance to the issue of the settlement of Kashmir in an interactive session on Tuesday.

The event titled ‘Social and Economic Empowerment of Young People in AJK- Opportunities and Challenges’ was hosted by the British Council and the Centre for Peace and Development Reforms and was part of a series of interactive sessions for highlighting the importance of political and socio-economic participation of the youth of Azad Kashmir.

Speakers from PML-N, PPP, PTI and Muslim Conference talked about the importance of revenue generation and denounced the release of grants by the Federal Government.

When asked to give a one-line message to the youth who were participating in the seminar, PML-N AJK Secretary General Shah Ghulam Qadir said: “Our main issue is revenue generation and if we are financially strong, we can make our own policies and streamline our governance.”

AJK politicians say if the region is allowed to generate own income, it can make own policies, streamline government

Similar views were expressed by almost all the speakers, who criticised Islamabad for not allowing the AJK economy to become strong and self-sustaining.

Using calculated words, senior politician Sardar Attique Ahmed said that Islamabad and Delhi are hampering the growth of informal trade between locals along the Line of Control (LOC).

Regarding the limited opportunities for the youth in AJK, Mr Ahmed said: “There are capacity issues with the government functionaries in AJK and more than 50 functions, some even related to day-to-day activities are with the AJK Council.”

Speakers criticised the powers vested in the AJK Council and AJK Finance Minister Latif Akbar said there are no budgets for the welfare of the youth due to the AJK Council’s policies.

The AJK Council was created under the AJK Interim Constitution Act 1974 to serve as a “bridge” between Islamabad and Muzaffarabad and is headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan as its chairman.

Speakers also talked about development opportunities in AJK including hydro power generation, the promotion of tourism and the establishment of small industries.

Politicians among the panel said that Islamabad was not ready to give AJK net hydel profit from Mangla Dam on grounds that the area was not a province of the country.

“But they start hydro power projects like [AJK is part of ] Pakistan and the most unfortunate part is that there are no agreements between AJK and Wapda over the Neelum-Jhelum Project. How can we the get hydel net profit?” Latif Akbar asked.

About the social and economic uplift of the youth in AJK, Latif Akbar said a ban on student unions was lifted four months back and that elections will soon be starting in educational institutions.

“It is important for the younger generation to participate in the political process in their educational institutions because besides other benefits, doing so also raises awareness,” the AJK finance minister said.

Speakers agreed that apart from government jobs, remittance for AJK residents in Pakistan or those who live abroad is the main source of income for locals.

After the seminar, a senior politician told Dawn that tourism was limited in AJK due to security concerns.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2016