The meeting of the Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan was held today in the Parliament House, Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Malik Ibrar Ahmed, MNA.

2. During the meeting the concerned Secretaries and Managing Director, NESPAK briefed the Committee on agenda items. According to the agenda item (ii) the MD, NESPAK informed the Committee through presentation about the ongoing projects and their progress. The Chairman and the Committee Members pointed out the issue of re-designing which causes the escalation of cost and delay in projects, particularly in the case of Rathoa Haryam Bridge across reservoir channels on Mirpur Islamgarh Road, Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The Chairman further directed the Secretary, M/o KA&GB to submit a detailed report on said project to the Committee in its next meeting.

3. The Additional Chief Secretary of the AJ&K briefed the Committee about the losses caused by the continuous unprovoked firing by the Indian Army at Nelum Valley with data. He also apprised the Committee that the honourable Prime Minister is visiting AJ&K to distribute the compensation amount to the affectees as well as to express solidarity with Kashmiris. The Committee also recommended to consider increase in the compensation amount.

4. The concerned Secretaries of the Forestry and wild-life of AJ&K and G.B also briefed the Committee on the overall well-being of natural environment and preservation of Jungles and wild-life in GB/AJ&K regions. The Additional Chief Secretary also highlighted the damages and affect on environment due to heavy firing and fencing the border by the Indian side across the line of control in the last few months.

5. The meeting was attended by the Hon. Members of the Committee namely; Mr. Khalil George, Ch. Abid Raza, Malik Abdul Ghaffar Dogar, Sardar Mumtaz Khan, Mr. Babar Nawaz Khan, Ms. Asiya Naz Tanoli, Mrs. Shamas-un-Nissa, Mr. Junaid Akbar, Syed Waseem Hussain, Molvi Agha Muhammad and Senior Officers of the Ministry.