Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, DG ISPR, addressed students from various universities in Azad Kashmir. He said protests are a right but warned that disorder harms the economy. He emphasized that without taxes, the government cannot provide salaries or benefits. The DG spoke on September 15 in Pallandri and answered questions from students and faculty. A video of the Q&A session went viral on social media.
Answering concerns about political unrest, DG ISPR said Azad Kashmir’s political system is functioning well. He highlighted improvements in education, health, and infrastructure sectors. He noted that over 30% of Kashmiris hold government jobs. He stressed again that protests are allowed but economic disruption causes harm. He also mentioned Kashmir’s abundant natural resources and its strategic importance to Pakistan.
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DG Sharif praised Kashmiris’ contributions to the Pakistan Army, including several officers and soldiers from the region. He said Kashmir’s future lies in becoming part of Pakistan. He added that inflation remains low in Azad Kashmir, and essentials like electricity and flour are affordable. He invited people to engage in dialogue to address their problems rather than resorting to unrest.
Discussing finances, he revealed that out of a 300 billion rupees budget, 150 billion is spent on salaries and pensions. He stressed the need to collect taxes to sustain these payments. He spoke about Kashmir’s potential to support the wider region by producing fruits and resources. He urged people to help spread the benefits of subsidized goods like flour and electricity.
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Finally, DG ISPR encouraged students to protest peacefully and avoid creating instability. He said if protests are held with love and peace, Pakistan and the world will support Kashmiris. He reaffirmed the close ties between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir and highlighted joint efforts to develop IT, minerals, agriculture, AI, and crypto sectors.