MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) cabinet on Saturday decided to provide compensation to disabled Kashmiri migrants along the Working Boundary in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab on the pattern of their likes along the Line of Control in the liberated territory.

The decision was taken by the cabinet at its meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas in the light of the recommendations of a cabinet committee, according to an official handout.

The Working Boundary separates India occupied Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan. Prior to the ceasefire between the rival Pakistani and Indian troops, many casualties had occurred on the Pakistani side of the boundary. However, the handout was bereft of any further details in this regard.

On other issues, the cabinet formed a six-member committee, including three ministers and as many bureaucrats, to submit its recommendations on how to protect arable land and stop its utilisation for non-agricultural purposes.

The cabinet also gave approval to Safe Cities Board Act 2022 and AJK Flood Plan Regulation Act 2022. Under the second law, measures would be taken to arrest loss of livesduring natural disastersby implementing building codes and controlling flood situations at the riverbanks.

The cabinet also gave approval in principle to amendments in AJK election law which it decided would be worked out by the concerned legislative assembly committee.

Another committee for formulation of the draft of the child protection act was also constituted with Chaudhry Rafique Nayyar, special assistant to premier on information, as its chairman.

Regarding the wheat flour crisis, PM Ilyas directed all officials concerned to address the issue on a priority basis in view of the difficulties being faced by the public.

The cabinet was told that contrary to the prevailing food policy, the AJK government was giving more than 60pc subsidy on wheat flour being sold at food department depots compared to the flour being sold in the open market. “As per the current food policy, only 20pc subsidy can be given on flour but despite resource constraints we have decided to give maximum subsidy to provide maximum relief to people from low-income groups,” PM Ilyas said.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2023