The 19th meeting of the Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs was held in the Parliament House, Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Malik Ibrar Ahmed, MNA, to oversee the rescue, relief and rehabilitation work done by the respective provincial Government during the recent torrential rains and landsliding in AJ&K and Gilgit Baltistan in the month of March/April 2016.The Chairman and Committee appreciated the quick and in time response of the respective governments including the NDMA.

The Secretary, Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Mr. Abid Saeed briefed the Committee about the steps taken by the government for the rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities. The Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan, Tahir Hussain and Secretary SDMA AJ&K, Zaheer ud din Qureshi from government of AJ&K also apprised the Committee through a detailed presentation about the agenda item-II.The representative of NDMA also informed the Committee about the strategic planning and preparedness of the department in case of   any eventuality of such nature in future.

While taking notice of the low compensation being paid to the affected families of deceased in AJ&K, the Chairman directed the Secretary to advise the AJK government to enhance the amount of compensation at par with the other provinces.

Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Ch. Muhammad Barjees Tahir was also present in the meeting and replied different Hon. Members. On a question raised by Malik Abdul Ghaffar Dogar, MNA, regarding the maintenance of AJ&K properties in Pakistan, he replied that the management and maintenance of the properties have been improved however there are some litigation issues with the tenants are being faced by the Ministry which has hampered the progress of renovation. The Chairman offered his volunteer services for the settlement of dispute between the Ministry and the tenants in the best interest of public for the property situated in his constituency.

The meeting was attended by Hon. Members of the Committee namely;   Malik Abdul Ghaffar Dogar, Mr. Junaid Akbar, Sardar Mumtaz Khan, Mrs. Shams-un-Nisa, Syed Waseem Hussain and Molvi Agha Muhammad.