Posts published in February 2015

The writer is a political economist and a television anchorperson. An amendment proposed by the Federal Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan and approved by the President of Pakistan in GILGIT-BALTISTAN (EMPOWERMENT AND SELF GOVERNANCE) ORDER 2009 in paragraph (aa) in clause (1) of Article 20 reads, “Notwithstanding anything contained in this Order, the President may appoint the Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan as the ex-officio Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan”. The amendment is a…

MUZAFFARABAD: The Intra-Kashmir trade service will resume tonight after six days of its suspension at the Chakothi crossing point, Geo News reported on Wednesday. The trade service was suspended after authorities in Indian occupied Kashmir leveled allegations of smuggling. It was suspended when a truck from Azad Kashmir was stopped by Indian authorities allegedly said to be carrying contraband. According to Director General (DG) Azad Kashmir Trade and Travel Authority (TATA) Brigadier (R)Imtiaz Wayen, 50…

Tariq Naqash in Dawn February 12th , 2015 MUZAFFARABAD: Authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) arrived at some sort of consensus regarding resumption of the stalled intra-Kashmir trade, as all but one of the stranded trucks were allowed to return to their respective sides late on Wednesday night. “Yes, I confirm that all except one of the 72 trucks, which were stuck up here and across the LoC since Friday,…

ISLAMABAD: The AJK Council Secretariat Islamabad has clarified a news item published in “The News” on Tuesday, titled “Lowest bidder denied Rs610 million road project”. The AJK Council Secretariat clarified that the entire tendering process was completed after a due process of law and tender was widely circulated in two national dailies i.e. “The Nation” and “Jang”. Total four bidders participated. One bidder did not qualify technically. The other three bidders duly participated and all…

By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, Feb 10th, 2015. GILGIT: As part of the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), the government of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) has decided to scrutinise both registered and unregistered madrassahs operating in the region. According to a government official, the decision was taken during a meeting chaired by interim chief minister Sher Jehan Mir. Home Secretary Sibtain Ahmed and intelligence officials attended the meeting. “Scrutinising madrassahs was one of…

The Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project was first conceived in 1989. Since then it has been victim to financial woes and corruption in the awarding of contracts. Last year, Nawaz Sharif finally decided the project had to be operational by the end of 2015 and completed a year after that. To that end he secured $448 million of funding from China’s Import-Export Bank. This money was badly needed as Chinese contractors had threatened to stop working because…

MUZAFFARABAD: India and Pakistan have suspended trade across their de-facto border in the disputed territory of Kashmir after Indian authorities detained a truck driver accused of drug trafficking, Pakistan officials said Sunday. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the two countries won independence from Britain in 1947. Both claim the scenic Himalayan territory in full. Barter trade across the de-facto border began in 2008 as part of peace efforts but it is…

By Tariq Naqash in Dawn February 9th , 2015 MUZAFFARABAD: Tra­vel and trade across the Line of Control in Kashmir suffered a setback when the bus service through the Chakothi-Uri crossing point was suspended for Sunday. However, the service through the Tetrinote-Chakan da Bagh crossing point in Poonch division would continue as usual, an official said. The bus service operates on Mondays, while trade is carried out from Tuesday to Friday through the two routes.…

by Khaleeq Kiani in Dawn February 9th , 2015 ISLAMABAD: The prime minister may not get his wish of seeing the 969MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project operational in the near future, as the project is facing an immediate financial shortfall of Rs50 billion. “The project was expected to be completed by the end of 2016, subject to the availability and smooth dispersal of funds,” Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project managing director retired Gen Mohammad Zubair told Dawn. He…

Islamabad- Former prime minister of Azad Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mehmood will announce his unification with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday, reliable sources said. Sources said he will announce parting ways with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on February 5, Kashmir Solidarity Day in the presence of PTI’s chairman Imran Khan. All things have been finalized in this regard, between the top leadership of the PTI and Barrister Group. It is also expected that up to dozen…