Mubashar Naqvi
MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan has said following US President Donald Trump’s arbitration offer to settle the longstanding issue of Kashmir, India resorted to target civilian population at Line of Control (LoC).
Addressing a news conference here on Thursday, he said India wants to divert the attention from the arbitrary offer and increasing international pressure on it.
The Premier said that Indian troops targeting civilian population with heavy weapons.
“India continuously violating Ceasefire Line Agreement but the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir will continue to defend their motherland against Indian aggression while standing shoulder to shoulder with the Pak Army”, he added.
Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that India wants to push back the population residing close to LOC but our courageous people will never bow down to Indian aggression.
Lauding the valiant armed forces of the country, he said that Pak Army has silenced enemy’s guns.
“Indian unprovoked firing starting three days back resulted into martyrdom of 04 civilian including woman and children. 40 people were injured in the Indian shelling while 15 villages adjacent to LOC affected from Indian firing. 57 houses were fully damaged while a number of houses partially damaged”, the Premier informed.
“27 people martyred in the Indian firing since January this year while 153 injured. Not only houses and shops but hospitals, educational institutions, mosques and ambulances were come under Indian firing”, he added.
The Prime Minister said AJK government has released 30 million rupees to concerned Deputy Commissioners to pay compensation to heirs of martyred and injured from Indian shelling.
He said that state government enhanced compensation for the martyrs from three hundred thousand to one million, handicaps from two hundred and fifty thousand to eight hundred thousand, serious injured from one hundred thousand to three hundred thousand.
Farooq Haider told that Pakistan government has allocated three billion rupees for the LoC affected. The AJK government has so far spent 130 million rupees on community bunkers, first aid posts and purchase of ambulances.
Replying a question, he said government is fully alert to overcome any situation arising out of Indian firing.
“Alternative routes leading to LoC are being improved while food and other daily use items were stock piled”, he informed.
Referring to rehabilitation of Lesswa flood affectees, Raja Farooq Haider Khan said all available resources are being mobilized for their complete rehabilitation. The government of Pakistan will construct 10 kilometer long Lesswa road.
He lauded relief and rehabilitation activities carried out by State Disaster Management Authority and other line Departments with the active cooperation of Pakistan Army.
Replying a question, he said AJK government has appealed Saudi Government and other international NGOs to assist in rehabilitation of Lesswa affected.
Earlier, Prime Minister Farooq Haider visited SKBZ Hospital/CMH Muzaffarabad to inquire after the health of injured of Indian firing and directed hospital administration to provide best available medical care facilities to the injured.