MUZAFFARABAD, Sept 30: Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister, Chaudhry Abdul Majeed here on Sunday laid the foundation of four important uplift schemes, saying that his government had started implementation of a comprehensive plan to develop the state capital as a model city.

“I am not a prime minister who makes tall claims. I will ensure one hundred per cent implementation of whatever I announce, and shortly people will see for themselves winsome changes on the ground,” he said, while addressing a big gathering of traders in Madina Market, the AJK capital’s commercial hub.

“I am least bothered by the negative propaganda campaign and instead will religiously fulfil my commitment to develop Muzaffarabad, as the most beautiful and model capital,” he added.

Before reaching the market, where traders showered flower petals on him amid pro-government chants by the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) activists, the prime minister laid the foundation stone of four uplift schemes, under the Muzaffarabad City Project (MCDP).

These included Saheli Sarkar Bridge costing Rs 356 million, greater water supply scheme (Rs 1,350 million), sewerage line project (Rs2,450 million) and Tariqabad bypass (Rs442 million).For some time, tempers were running high in the AJK capital with the majority of residents and leaders believing that the AJK government had not been fair towards the development of the town, which had been ravaged by the October 2005 earthquake.

Referring to this very anger, Mr Majeed maintained that previously many ‘self styled champions’ of Muzaffarabad’s rights had remained prime ministers, but, practically, none had seriously initiated any project for the quake-affected capital.

“Now they are politicking in the name of Muzaffarabad. I will not allow them to do so and hope people will also expose them,” he said.