Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ministry of Planning has refused to provide funds amounting to Rs 20 billion to the AJK government and the latter has been informed in writing on this count.

The federal government has informed the AJK government that Rs 20 billion funds cannot be provided in full. These funds were allocated in the budget for the financial year 2015-16.

Well placed sources told the Daily Times that the Federal Ministry of Planning has withheld funds of Rs 890 million to be paid to the AJK health department and it has also refused to release funds amounting to Rs 480 million to the Industries Department of AJK.

The Federal Ministry of Planning has also curtailed funds for local government by Rs 890 million besides refusing to release funds to the tune of Rs 170 million to the Information and Technology department. Funds of Rs three billion have been withheld in respect of energy sector, Rs 160 million of the social welfare department, Rs 5.5 billion of the communication department and Rs 280.5 million funds have been withheld in respect of the tourism department.

Funds have been slashed to the tune of Rs 150 million for research while the ministry has refused to provide funds of Rs four billion to the education department. Funds amounting to Rs 180 million have been withheld from the sports department.

The Ministry of Planning has informed the AJK government in categorical terms that only Rs 11 billion out of Rs 20 billion can be provided to it.

AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majid had earlier voiced his protest and staged a sit-in outside the parliament against non provision of these funds.

Upon this the federal government had promised that the funds would be released to the AJK government but now these have been blocked. Funds to the tune of Rs 180 million have been withheld in respect of development projects of AJK council. Members of Kashmir council had staged a sit- in outside the Kashmir Council Secretariate for 10 days against non disbursement of these funds.

Upon this the minister for Kashmir affairs gave a lollipop to the members of the Kashmir Council and assured that development funds would be released within two days. About seven days have elapsed but the pledge has not been fulfilled.

Sources said that the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs has also refused to provide funds to the Kashmir Council. These funds will be provided to pave the way for achieving success for PML-N candidates in the upcoming AJK general elections. Due to lack of budget no work could be started on the projects which were to be completed out of foreign funding.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Asian Development Bank had also announced development projects but these have been rendered ineffective for want of funds.