MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Monday announced a series of policy and legal measures aimed at restoring investors’ confidence and steering the liberated territory towards a digitally driven and economically stable future.

The announcements were made at the first Overseas Kashmiris Convention, held at a local hotel here under the aegis of the AJK government in collaboration with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OFP).

Addressing the inaugural session, the prime minister said the initiative marked a “practical beginning” of long-term economic transformation rather than a ceremonial gathering.

He said the government had approved the establishment of Real Estate Special Courts, bound to decide cases within 90 days, to ensure transparency and swift dispute resolution.

Existing laws would be reviewed and, if required, new legislation introduced to remove hurdles to business and industrial growth.

“There will be no policy paralysis; we will move forward with continuity and provide a clear and stable environment to investors,” he vowed.

Describing overseas Kashmiris as a valuable asset and “architects of the future”, the prime minister said the [already established] Overseas Commission and an Overseas Commissioner would address their issues on a priority basis and facilitate them at every stage of investment.

He also inaugurated the Overseas Kashmiris Grievances Redressal Portal, developed by the Information Technology Board, to ensure faster and transparent complaint handling.

Mr Rathore said six industrial units were available in Mirpur, while a dry port project was nearing completion to facilitate imports and exports. A one-window operation covering registration, licensing and certification had been formally launched and was being further digitised with the cooperation of NADRA to eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic procedures.

Terming information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) the foundation of the modern economy, he said practical work on IT parks had begun and PTCL fibre-optic connectivity would provide high-speed internet access.

Special programmes would be introduced to train youth in IT, software development, freelancing, e-commerce and AI to enhance employment and boost IT exports.

Referring to a private firm’s initiative to provide jobs to 4,000 youth in Bagh, he said the development demonstrated that AJK could emerge as an IT hub if the right environment was ensured.

Highlighting other sectors, the prime minister said public-private partnerships were being promoted in education to improve standards, while existing hospital infrastructure, colleges, universities and medical colleges would be made more effective. He said the region was rich in rare earth minerals and gemstones, announcing that a Centre of Gemstones would be established in Muzaffarabad to modernise the sector. Renewable energy, particularly solar power, and sustainable tourism would also be prioritised.

He reiterated that economic progress would be aligned with the Kashmir freedom movement and said AJK’s relationship with Pakistan was rooted in shared faith. “Pakistan’s success is our success,” he added.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engr Amir Muqam said overseas Pakistanis and Kashmiris were serving the country by highlighting the Kashmir issue internationally and sending valuable foreign exchange. He expressed hope that work on the Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Mansehra motorway would begin soon.

OFP Chairman Syed Qamar Raza said overseas Pakistanis and Kashmiris were the backbone of the economy, contributing nearly 80pc of the country’s foreign exchange. Remittances stood at $33.5 billion last year and were expected to reach $41bn this year, he added, while calling for greater private-sector participation to create jobs and promote investment.

The session was also addressed by Leader of the Opposition Shah Ghulam Qadir, All Parties Hurriyat Conference convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Barrister Abid Hussain, firstMuslim Pakistani president of Oldham Law Association,Farooq Kirmani, a retired deputy secretary in the occupied Kashmir administration, and Overseas Commissioner Azhar Baralvi and chief secretary Khushal Khan

In the second session, focused group discussions were held on four themes - barriers and challenges faced by the Kashmiri diaspora; contemporary issues; business and investment opportunities; and gender and youth engagement –followed by presentations of brief summaries by group leaders and a question-and-answer session with a panel headed by the prime minister.

“Overseas Kashmiris should bring investment to the state; we will remove all their objections and reservations. Investment, in fact, is a renewal of our relationship and an expression of mutual trust,” the prime minister said, and directed the chief secretary to prepare a comprehensive policy paper in the light of the recommendations.

AJK President Chaudhry Latif Akbar, who also attended the plenary session, delivered the concluding speech, congratulating the government on holding the convention and urging overseas Kashmiris to continue playing their valuable role in the progress of their homeland as well as the projection of Kashmir cause with enhanced commitment.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2026