MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas on Friday announced that his government would provide public sector jobs to as many as 100 educated children from the families of post-1989 migrants from India-held Kashmir (IHK) in addition to their 6pc quota in this regard.

He also declared that the government would spare Rs30 million to advance interest free loans to refugees for small businesses and another Rs15 million for the education and weddings of their children.

He was speaking at a large ceremony in Ambore refugee camp, some 5km on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, after handing over the copy of a recently issued notification, envisaging an increase of Rs1.500 in the monthly subsistence allowance of post-1989 migrants, to camp leader Chaudhry Ferozuddin.

“Today, I once again salute my valiant brethren across the Line of Control for their heroic struggle for freedom in spite of the unprecedented atrocities by India’s occupation machinery…At the same time, I also salute the spirit of all those who migrated from the occupied territory to the liberated territory for the same great cause,” PM Ilyas said in his emotional speech.

He said he had a great realisation of the miseries of the refugees because they were not provided with the facilities they deserved.

“For that very reason, today I also tender apologies to you,” he said.

According to AJK Rehabilitation Department, there are 11 major camps of post-1989 refugees in Muzaffarabad and Jhelum valley districts, housing 17,408 members from 3,115 families, while 6,766 members from 3,115 families inhabit five camps in Bagh district, and 4556 members from 814 families inhabit two camps in Kotli district.

Apart from them, as many as 14,380 migrants from 2,783 families are living in private residences in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kotli, Mirpur and Poonch district.

Each member was getting a monthly subsistence allowance of Rs2,000 with an additional Rs90 to the head of the family, apart from some other paltry allowances to children for education, etc.

Through the recently issued notification which would take effect from Sept 1, 2022, the subsistence allowance of all 43,110 refugees has been raised by Rs1,500, which would cost the government an additional Rs776 million per annum.

“Whatever amount of money we may give you in fact it can never be the substitute for your sacrifice of leaving the land of your forefathers,” the AJK premier said.

He assured them that the government would ensure 100 per cent implementation of refugees’ quota in public sector jobs.

On this occasion, the premier directed the authorities concerned to allocate 80 kanals of land for a graveyard at Ambore refugee camp.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2022