MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday decided to adopt the laws enforced in Pakistan on Khatm-i-Nubuwat to the letter.

According to an official handout, a five-member committee headed by Law Minister Raja Nisar Ahmed Khan was constituted to ensure the implementation of the decision at the earliest.

While deciding in principle to scale down taxes in AJK to bring them on par with Punjab, the AJK cabinet constituted another five-member committee — headed by Finance Minister Dr Najeeb Naqi — to submit its report on the issue within one month.

The committee would review the ratio of stamp duty on purchase, transfer and registration of land and other local taxes.

The cabinet abolished the post of deputy chairman in the region’s main accountability body by approving amendments in the Ehtesab Bureau (Amendment) Act.

The committee also approved amendments in penal code, proposing harsh punishments — including imprisonment and fine — for (perpetrators and facilitators of) forced and underage marriages.

Another committee was constituted to review an earlier decision whereby 10 per cent cut was proposed in grant-in-aid to the development authorities, with a view to ensuring timely payment of salaries to their employees.

Reviewing progress on welfare packages envisaged for Mirpur under the Mangla dam raising project, the cabinet decided to take “swift steps” for their completion.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2017