AJK resolves GST dispute with wheat transport contractor

          The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Food Department on Thursday announced that a longstanding dispute over the deduction of General Sales Tax (GST) from payments to wheat transportation contractors had been resolved after approval by the cabinet. 

According to a press release, during a certification audit for the year 2021-22 by the Accountant General’s Sub-Office in Islamabad, an objection was raised for the first time regarding the non-deduction of GST from the contractors’ bills under the Finance Act 2019. 

Following the objection, the Accountant General’s Office halted payments to contractors, triggering a strike by transporters who maintained that they had not been informed about the imposition of 16pc GST while submitting bids. 

The contractors argued that their tender rates had been quoted after factoring in prevailing costs such as fuel prices, inflation and existing taxes, and that the sudden application of GST made their contracts financially unviable. 

Upon learning about the deduction of GST from their bills, the contractors refused to continue work at the quoted rates and resorted to a strike, following which the then secretary food assured them at a meeting that while the taxes applicable for the remaining period, including GST, would be paid accordingly, the issue of past deductions would be taken up at the government level for resolution, the press release said. 

It added that in March 2023, a high-level meeting headed by the then prime minister decided to defer GST deductions on past payments. It was further decided that an appropriate procedure would be adopted for the formal settlement of the issue. Contractors were informed that GST would be applicable to future contracts. 

According to the press release, subsequent tenders clearly specified GST provisions, after which contractors submitted fresh bids and deductions began in line with the law. 

Meanwhile, a summary seeking exemption from GST for the period between 2019 and 2022 was approved by the then prime minister, but the absence of a formal notification led contractors to approach the High Court for implementation of the decision. 

Following court directions, the government constituted a committee which reviewed the matter in detail and recommended settlement of the issue under Section 65 of the Finance Act. 

The cabinet endorsed the recommendations in 2025 and, after consultation with the Inland Revenue Department, a formal notification was issued, thereby settling the matter. 

The Food Department said the decision had cleared ambiguities regarding GST applicability and would help ensure smooth payments to contractors and uninterrupted wheat supply across the region.

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AJKLA forms bipartisan panels to tackle civic issues in Muzaffarabad, Kotli

         The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Wednesday constituted two bipartisan committees to address issues of clean drinking water, sewerage and waste recycling in Muzaffarabad and Kotli.

The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Chaudhry Riaz Gujjar.

Responding to a calling attention notice by an opposition lawmaker from Muzaffarabad, Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore recalled that during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the city, attention had been drawn to civic issues, including stalled reconstruction of earthquake-hit schools, and Rs5 billion had been sought under the federal PSDP. He said Rs1bn had been released, which would be used to complete school buildings that were already 80pc finished.

Emphasising that Muzaffarabad’s issues were a collective responsibility, the prime minister supported the formation of a House committee to identify problems and suggest remedies. The chair subsequently constituted a committee comprising the minister for housing and physical planning and two members each from the treasury and the opposition.

 PPP regional president Chaudhry Yasin pointed out that his constituency — Kotli city — faced similar issues and called for a similar committee. The prime minister, referring to complaints raised during his recent visit to Kotli about waste disposal, clean drinking water and sewerage, endorsed the proposal. The deputy speaker then constituted another committee comprising five treasury and one opposition member from Kotli district.

 Both committees will submit recommendations to the government.

During question hour, Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed informed the House that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced a Danish University in Muzaffarabad, for which a site was being identified. He added that Danish schools were being established in Sharda (Neelum) and Leepa (Jhelum Valley), while implementation had also begun in Bagh, Bhimber and Kotli.

Minister Chaudhry Rasheed said that, subject to federal approval, classes for the proposed university could initially be started at an agriculture academy and a degree college in Garhi Dupatta.

 Minister for Communications Sardar Ziaul Qamar said a 30km road project in Bagh’s eastern constituency was pending on technical grounds and would be taken up at the next meeting of the Cabinet Development Committee (CDC). He said delays in PC-1 approval, along with a funding cap of Rs850 million flagged by the Planning and Development Department, had held up the project.

Sardar Mir Akbar, MLA from eastern Bagh who recently joined the PML-N, alleged that development works in his constituency had been halted as victimisation, payments to contractors were stalled and protests had taken place. He warned against being pushed to take extreme steps. The prime minister assured the House that the CDC would clear the project within a week and tenders would be issued.

Responding to a notice by Abdul Majid Khan on the non-provision of development funds to refugee lawmakers, Mr Waheed said the issue had become contentious and was under review by a committee, with consultations ongoing. He said the government would adopt a position after talks concluded and release funds if a consensus emerged, adding that relevant court rulings would also be examined.

On issues relating to health department employees and regularisation of ad hoc staff, he said an agreement had been reached between the prime minister and the health secretary to resolve matters in phases, adding that recommendations would be placed before the cabinet for approval and legislation.

He also said the proposal to establish daycare centres for female employees would be pursued in line with available resources.

The House referred two bills — the Power Development Organisation (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 and the Services Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2026 — to the relevant select committees for further consideration.

Later, the chair prorogued the session sine die.

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Refugees equal citizens under Constitution, AJK PM tells Legislative Assembly

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Tuesday told the Legislative Assembly that refugees from occupied Jammu and Kashmir residing in Pakistan were equal citizens of the State under the Constitution and all their rights remained intact.

Responding to a point of order raised by former finance minister and Public Accounts Committee chairman Abdul Majid Khan over “non-release of development funds for refugee lawmakers,” the prime minister said refugee members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) retained their constitutional right to vote and the government had no intention of depriving them of funds.

He said matters relating to cabinet strength and funds had been deferred under a mutual understanding agreement signed by representatives of the governments of Pakistan and AJK as well as the Joint Awami Action Committee. 

“Refugees are an inseparable part of the political structure and it is due to their votes that I am holding the office of prime minister. It is not correct to say they are being deprived of ministries; this is only a matter of mutual understanding,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Khan questioned the constitutional and legal status of 12 refugee seats in the wake of a High Court judgment on local bodies, and sought clarification on the withholding of funds and the legal standing of the “understanding agreement” with the JAAC.

Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar ruled that no speech was allowed on a point of order and advised Mr Khan to table a resolution instead.

Mr Khan argued that following judicial clarification of Article 22 of the AJK Constitution there was no ambiguity regarding refugee seats or justification for withholding funds. He recalled historical constitutional arrangements and amendments and demanded assurance of protection of constitutional rights. 

In response, the prime minister said the High Court judgment on local bodies was confined to the distribution of funds and did not affect the constitutional status of refugee seats, which would remain intact until altered by the assembly. 

He said if PML-N leader Raja Farooq Haider secured any relaxation from Islamabad, the government was ready to include refugee members in the cabinet. 

The prime minister said the PPP believed in a people-friendly government, adding that honorary designations and coordinators appointed by it were actively confronting political opponents in the field. 

Law Minister Mian Abdul Waheed said the court ruling contained no contradiction and the matter remained sub judice. He added that several refugee MLAs were also serving as committee chairpersons.

He termed lengthy speeches “based on assumptions” inappropriate, after which the speaker disallowed further discussion. 

Mr Khan attempted to speak again but was not allowed, following which he and MLA Asim Sharif Butt staged a walkout. Minister Qasim Majeed later tried to persuade them to return, but they did not rejoin the proceedings.

Earlier, on the demand of Mr Haider, the law minister announced a special session of the assembly in May to highlight Indian atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and express solidarity with its people.

The law minister also introduced three bills related to education, tourism promotion and the Neelum Valley Development Board, which were referred to relevant committees. A special committee was also formed on the AJK Public Sector Universities Act 2024. 

At the outset, the speaker administered oath to PTI’s Chaudhry Maqbool Gujar as an MLA in line with a Supreme Court decision in his favour.

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AJK PM highlights need for youth awareness, skills development

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Tuesday said that while the region had no shortage of talent, a lack of awareness among young people remained a major challenge that needed urgent attention.

Noting that around 64 percent of AJK’s population comprised youth, he said, if this large segment was provided with proper direction and effective guidance, the region could set new benchmarks of development and success. 

“It is a matter of pride that Kashmiri youth are serving in prominent positions across Pakistan on the basis of their abilities, which reflects their competence,” he said.

The prime minister expressed these views while addressing the participants of a two-day Youth Leadership Workshop organised by the Department of Sports, Youth and Culture at the Kashmir Institute of Management. Minister for Finance and Inland Revenue Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Adviser on Sports and Youth Affairs Sardar Ahmed Sagheer, and Secretary Sports, Youth and Culture Ansar Yaqoob were also present. 

Urging young people to take advantage of modern technology, PM Rathore said that cellphones had turned into a ‘university in one’s hands.’

“With a single click, you can access information from around the world, which was not possible before.” 

Sharing his own experience, he said that success in life did not come overnight but required patience, sincerity and sustained struggle. “My success is also the result of a long and difficult journey marked by hard work, struggle and major decisions,” he said. 

He pointed out that one of the major weaknesses of society was the tendency to find fault with others and advised participants to stay away from negative tendencies, move beyond traditional thinking, and practise self-accountability rather than being judgmental. 

 “Success requires a story that inspires motivation. Young people should work to improve their own life stories and accept responsibility for both success and failure,” he said, adding that while governments were responsible for providing resources, training and education, it was up to the youth to work hard. 

He also underscored the importance of improving the education system, noting that its major flaw lay in evaluating students solely on the basis of marks — a practice no longer followed in most parts of the world. Emphasising that there was no substitute for skills, he called for greater focus on skill development in view of the shortage of skilled persons. He expressed hope that the workshop would help produce a new generation of youth leaders.

Job Festival

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated a two-day “Job Festival” at the New Prime Minister House organised by the Department of Sports, Youth and Culture to guide young people on opportunities for education, employment and professional development abroad. 

The festival featured stalls set up by various government departments, overseas employment and education consultancy firms, armed forces recruitment centres, and organisations promoting self-employment and skills development. Food stalls were also arranged at the venue. 

A large number of students, fresh graduates and young participants attended the event, where experts, consultants and representatives from relevant sectors provided guidance on overseas education, employment and career planning. 

The prime minister inspected stalls and received briefings from officials. 

Speaking to the media on the occasion, he said the purpose of the festival was to highlight youth potential, guide them in the right direction, and connect them with better employment opportunities, particularly in sectors such as information technology, tourism, health, hospitality and skilled trades. 

 “You have seen that training, career counselling and awareness have been provided to youth in every field so that they can move forward and contribute to the development of the state,” he said. 

He warned that failure to engage youth — who make up the majority of the population — in productive and healthy activities could push them towards negative pursuits, which would be detrimental to the state. 

Mr Rathore said efforts were also underway to improve internet services to create a conducive environment for freelancing among young people.

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APHC reiterates non-participation in electoral politics

             The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan chapter of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) — a conglomerate of pro-freedom organisations seeking an end to India’s occupation of Jammu and Kashmir — has reaffirmed its longstanding policy of staying away from electoral politics, making it clear that it would neither transform itself into a political party nor support or oppose any political or religious group in elections.

The decision was taken at an extraordinary high-level meeting held at the organisation’s office on Monday under the chairmanship of its convener, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, and attended by representatives of all affiliated units.

According to a statement issued by spokesperson Mushtaq Ahmed Butt, participants held detailed deliberations on the prevailing political situation, the sensitive nature of the Kashmir issue and the future course of action before reaching unanimous and “principled” decisions. 

The forum reiterated in “clear and unequivocal terms” that the APHC would maintain its previous policy regarding the electoral process in AJK and Pakistan. It stressed that the Kashmir issue was a national, ideological and internationally recognised dispute pertaining to the right to self-determination, which should not be subjected to “temporary political interests or electoral considerations.”

Participants stressed the need to unite political and religious leadership, as well as the general public in Pakistan and AJK, around the Kashmir cause, describing the conglomerate’s neutral and balanced role as vital for maintaining its credibility and effectiveness as a collective voice.

The meeting also underlined that the APHC, as the custodian of the legacy of Kashmiri martyrs, bore the responsibility of pursuing their unfinished mission of securing the right to self-determination. It resolved to make its struggle more organised, effective and multidimensional, while continuing to adhere to peaceful means in accordance with international law and diplomatic norms. 

It was further agreed that APHC delegations would establish contacts with major political and religious parties in Pakistan and AJK to persuade them to incorporate key aspects of the Kashmir dispute into their election manifestos, so that the issue could be highlighted at political and public levels.

Reaffirming its commitment to a principled and non-partisan approach, the meeting resolved to utilise all available political, diplomatic and public avenues to further strengthen its efforts and project the voice of the Kashmiri people at the international level. 

Prominent among those who attended the meeting were senior Hurriyat leaders Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Mahmood Ahmed Saghar, Advocate Pervez Ahmed Shah, Altaf Hussain Wani, Sheikh Abdul Mateen, Hassan al-Banna and Sheikh Abdul Majeed.

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AJK PM challenges opponents, says PPP unmatched in political field

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Saturday threw a gauntlet to his opponents, saying they could not compete with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the field.

“There is a difference between politics on Facebook and politics in the field. They may compete on social media, but not in practical politics,” he said at a public gathering in Abbaspur, adding that his government was presenting its performance before the people and would face its rivals head-on in the next elections.

He said the PPP government had taken concrete steps to improve institutions across the state. “When I took over, the state was facing serious challenges, but we accepted them and worked with a clear vision and roadmap,” he said, adding that the government was not merely making announcements but ensuring their implementation.

Urging political forces to move beyond point-scoring, he said all stakeholders must work to safeguard people’s rights. “The PPP is a kingmaker and a symbol of the federation. We are the real stakeholders in Pakistan’s system,” he asserted.

The AJK premier claimed that his government had restored a conducive political environment in the state and revived the mission of public service. “We are coming back with greater strength and public support,” he said, adding that the PPP believed in practical welfare measures rather than rhetoric.

Mr Rathore maintained that major development projects in AJK’s history were largely initiated during PPP governments. “If you exclude the ten-and-a-half years of PPP rule, you will hardly find any mega project,” he claimed, citing universities, medical colleges and other major initiatives as the party’s achievements.

He said that within a short span, his government had revived development activities and restored public confidence at a time when politics in the region had nearly come to a standstill. “People welcomed us across the state even when it had become difficult for politicians to step out,” he said.

Claiming a strong electoral position, he said the PPP was currently well placed in all 33 constituencies and would return to power after winning the next elections.

Expressing pride in the armed forces, he said Pakistan had earned respect globally and was playing the role of a mediator on the world stage. “God has raised our stature with honour and, God willing, the Kashmir issue will also be resolved,” he added.

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AJK to frame agriculture policy after ‘successful’ Muzaffarabad moot

Director Amna Rafi briefs Prime Minister
Faisal Rathore at a department's stall during
the agriculture conference in Muzaffarabad.

Government officials in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday described the recently held agriculture conference as a “successful and outcome-oriented exercise,” saying it had helped identify key challenges faced by farmers and laid the groundwork for a comprehensive policy to revitalise the sector in the region.

The moot — organised by the departments of agriculture, livestock, irrigation and allied institutions on the premises of Muzaffarabad’s non-functional airport on Wednesday — brought together experts, researchers, policymakers and farmers from across the country, generating a set of practical recommendations for sustainable agricultural development.

Speaking at a post-conference briefing, Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock, Dairy Development and Irrigation Mirza Wajahat Rasheed Baig said the event highlighted that despite possessing significant natural potential, AJK’s agriculture sector remained underperforming due to fragmented landholdings, limited market access, outdated farming practices and vulnerability to climate change.

He was flanked by Director General Livestock and Dairy Development Dr Muhammad Ijaz Khan, Agriculture Department directors Amna Rafi, Zaffar Jehangir Awan, Mubashir Saif, Deputy Director Raja Zaheer Iqbal, publicity officer Sundas Saleem and others.

“It was the first exercise of such scale in many years in Azad Kashmir, held under the vision of Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore. Officials at all levels worked with exceptional commitment to make it meaningful through expert input from diverse fields,” Mr Baig said.

Participants underscored the need to shift from subsistence farming to a more market-oriented and value-driven approach, supported by modern technologies, research and effective extension services, he added.

According to the secretary, one of the key takeaways was the urgent need for a unified and forward-looking agricultural policy, incorporating stakeholders’ input and aligning the sector with contemporary requirements.

He said experts stressed improved water management through efficient irrigation systems, including drip irrigation, to tackle increasing water scarcity caused by changing climatic patterns.

Highlighting discussions on horticulture, Mr Baig said nursery development and the availability of certified planting material were identified as critical for enhancing fruit production, particularly in mountainous areas, with public-private partnerships recommended to strengthen this segment and ensure better returns for farmers.

The conference also underscored the importance of diversifying into high-value crops such as tea, ginger, olive and soybean, as well as promoting value addition through processing of fruits, dairy products and other farm produce.

He said the conference also highlighted the considerable potential for tea cultivation in AJK, particularly in areas located at elevations of 1,200 to 1,500 metres, including Neelum and Jhelum valleys. Tea, being a high-value long-term crop, could help reduce Pakistan’s substantial import bill while creating sustainable income opportunities for local farmers, he noted, adding that initial assessments suggested thousands of acres were suitable for its cultivation.

Livestock, being the backbone of the rural economy, also received special attention, with experts calling for disease control measures, vaccination campaigns and breed improvement to enhance productivity and market competitiveness, he said.

Mr Baig said capacity building, agricultural education and youth engagement were also highlighted as essential components of long-term sectoral growth, with suggestions to integrate practical agricultural training into academic curricula.

Referring to the participation of national and international experts, he said their input had enriched the discussions, particularly in areas such as dairy value addition, climate resilience and supply chain development.

He maintained that the recommendations emerging from the conference would be consolidated and presented to the government for incorporation into a comprehensive policy framework aimed at ensuring food security, increasing farmers’ incomes and promoting exports.

“The conference was not merely a ceremonial gathering but a serious consultative process. Its outcomes will guide future planning and help transform agriculture into a viable and sustainable economic sector in our state,” he said.

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