MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi on Thursday announced a Rs400 subsidy on the price of 40kg wheat flour in Ramazan.

He made the announcement at the oath taking ceremony of the newly-elected office-bearers of Central Press Club Muzaffarabad, saying the subsidy would cost the exchequer around Rs560 million.

Mr Niazi said he believed in the service of his people which was why he had directed the officials concerned to do their stuff with regard to provision of subsidy on wheat flour to the people of the state.

In the same context, he made it clear that the government would deal “with an iron hand” with hoarders and profiteers.

“Hoarding, profiteering and unlawful advantage of the subsidy would not be tolerated at any cost,” he declared.

He said he had directed the administration in all districts to ensure implementation of price lists fixed by the committees concerned.

Regarding the Kashmir issue, he said efforts were the first and foremost priority of the government of the base camp of the freedom movement [AJK].

“Whatever our political affiliations and ideologies, thankfully, we are united on our national cause. And this has been demonstrated by the leadership on each and every occasion,” he said, and expressed gratitude to the Kashmiri leadership for the recent jointly organised rallies to draw attention towards the unresolved Kashmir issue.

“Rest assured, we will leave no stone unturned to fulfil responsibilities with regard to the heroic struggle being waged by our brethren across the bloody divide,” he said.

The AJK premier also appreciated the role of the press club in the freedom movement across the divide and development and progress of AJK.

“After the Aug 5, 2019, move by the Indian government, the role and responsibilities of journalists in the liberated territory have increased manifolds and I am sure they will meet the expectations with more zeal and zest,” he said.

Mr Niazi paid tributes to the journalist community in occupied Kashmir, facing relentless repression by the Indian authorities.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2022