ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, Neil Buhne, on Tuesday concluded a two-day mission to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) he undertook to discuss development priorities of the valley with AJK government officials.

During a meeting, AJK’s President Sardar Masood Khan and Mr Buhne discussed challenges and opportunities facing the UN development initiatives in the valley. They explored avenues to further strengthen the partnership between the AJK government and UN on key issues such as education, nutrition, employment, disaster risk reduction, food security and health.

Mr Khan claimed that despite nearly 100 per cent school enrolment of boys and girls, unemployment levels were high. In addition to this, he said that there were challenges related to diminishing donor assistance after the 2005 earthquake and continuing risks from naturally induced disasters. However, he also said that there were various opportunities that the government was focusing on — such as the ongoing development schemes, hydropower projects, skill development of educated youth through TVET and tourism.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2017