PM asks AJK president to advocate Kashmir cause

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan would continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to the freedom movement of Indian-held Kashmir.

In a meeting with newly-elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Masood Khan, he expressed confidence that Khan would advocate the Kashmir cause. “Now you also have a larger platform to better advocate the freedom cause of the people of Held Kashmir,” Nawaz told Masood Khan who is a former career diplomat. The PM congratulated Khan on his election and hoped that he would utilize his vast experience for the wellbeing of the people of AJK.

“Your present constitutional responsibilities are much larger than the duties you performed during your professional career. We expect that you will guide the elected government towards achieving better governance, strengthening institutions and improving the socio-economic conditions of AJK people,” the PM said, adding that he believed that the office of the AJK president would steer the elected government led by Raja Farooq Haider in bringing reforms in the crucial sectors of health and education.

He said the federal government would extend its maximum support to the AJK government in its endeavours to serve AJK people. “We believe in serving people and will extend our developmental agenda to AJK,” he said.

Khan said he would use his energies and experiences for the betterment of AJK people. “I am immensely grateful for reposing great trust in myself by your party. I will leave no stone unturned to help the AJK government to work according to your vision and policies,” said the AJK president.