Islamabad (AJK PID) Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan has announced a grant of 5 million rupees and Umrah tickets for ten members of Kashmir Journalists Forum (KJF).
The announcement in this regard was made by the PM while addressing a swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected office bearers of the KJF at Kashmir House late night on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister while appreciating the media persons significant contribution to the society said that the journalists were performing their professional responsibilities well despite adverse conditions. ” I am well aware of the problems being faced by the journalist”, the PM said adding that the KJF played crucial role in highlighting the issues of vital national interest including the Kashmir Freedom Movement.
He said that journalists have an important role in highlighting public issues.
The PM on the occasion announced that 10 members of the Kashmir Journalist Forum would be given Umrah tickets and five million rupees for the forum. He said that a housing scheme would be made for the journalists.
The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir also announced a grant of rupees 1 million to the family of deceased journalist Sardar Dilpazeer Abbasi and rupees three lakh to the families of former members of the Kashmir Journalist Forum, Sardar Shafiq, Rafiq Siddiqui, Sheikh Latif.
Referring to his decision of joining politics the Prime Minister said that the only purpose of entering the politics was to change the destiny of the state.
Referring to key decision taken by him as prime Minister, the PM said that despite facing opposition, the PTI government took the historic initiative that made it possible to hold local bodies elections in the region.
He said that in a short period of time the incumbent government took important steps for the welfare and development of the people of the state including increase in the subsistence allowance of post 90 refugees, dowry and Zakat funds given meant for the poor and deserving citizens of the state.
He said that the Mirpur Dry Port project has also been reactivated, which would improve our economy.
The PM said that issuance of first ever private airline in Azad Kashmir would further boost the economy and tourism in the state.
” Reforms are underway to improve functioning of the government institutions”, he said adding that the government was determined to make the state a welfare state.
He said that journalists should play their positive role in highlighting the welfare and development initiatives of the government.
“Journalists have every right to criticize, but the criticism must be constructive”.
On this occasion, the newly elected president of Kashmir Journalist Forum, Khawar Nawaz Raja thanked the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir for attending the ceremony.
The newly elected President paid great tribute to the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir for the successful conduct of local body elections, the establishment of Rahmatul Ulalamin Authority, the permanency of more than 2600 ad hoc employees and other religious and welfare initiatives.
Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir administered oath to the newly elected members of Kashmir Journalists Forum.
Parliamentary Secretary Javed Butt, Secretary Information Ansar Yaqoob, Media Advisor Sardar Zahid Tabsum, President Kashmir Journalists Forum Khawar Nawaz Raja, Former President of Forum Zahid Abbasi, and others were present on the occasion.
Earlier, on his arrival the Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by Rawalpindi and Islamabad based Kashmiri Journalists.
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