The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led federal government has decided to construct an airport in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in response to a long-standing demand from overseas Pakistanis.
The decision follows growing calls from the Pakistani diaspora, including a letter from British Members of Parliament of Kashmiri origin, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to initiate the project.
Taking the first step, the Airports Authority has published an advertisement seeking to hire a consultancy firm for the project. According to the Authority, all eligible consultants may participate in the tender process as per the laid-down procedures.
Meanwhile, the first annual Overseas Pakistanis Convention begins in Islamabad today. The landmark event aims to recognize the vital contributions of overseas Pakistanis to the country’s economy and provide them a platform for engagement with government representatives and institutions.
Overseas attendees have been granted the status of state guests for the convention. Special help desks from various government departments have also been set up to assist participants with information, guidance, and services under one roof.
In a video message, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain reiterated the government’s commitment to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis, promising concrete steps to address their concerns.
Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Awn Chaudhry also lauded the patriotism and economic contributions of the Pakistani diaspora, saying, “The hearts of overseas Pakistanis beat for Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, a high-level delegation comprising senior government officials from the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (GoAJ&K) visited SCO Software Technology Park (STP) in Muzaffarabad. The visit was organized and conducted by SCO Sector AJ&K. Lt Col Muhammad Umer Farooq Satti, Commanding Officer 61 Composite Signal Battalion received and welcomed the delegation.
The delegation included representatives from the Prime Minister’s SDG Unit, Directorate General Monitoring & Evaluation, Secretary and Assistant Chiefs from Planning & Development Department (P&DD), Director Land Use & Planning, Director ORIC from the University of AJ&K, and the Head of UN World Food Programme (WFP) AJ&K along with his team. The group was led by Dr. Asma Andrabi, Special Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Donors and Head of the SDG Unit.
A detailed briefing was given to the delegation, highlighting Special Communications Organization’s (SCO) visionary initiative in establishing network of Software Technology Parks and Freelancing Hubs across the region, in line with strategic vision of the Director General SCO, Major General Umar Ahmad Shah HI(M). The presentation covered operational modalities, ongoing training programmes, potential avenues for collaboration, the sustenance model of the STPs, as well as key milestones and success stories achieved so far.
