‘NAs not part of Pak till settlement of Kashmir issue’
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas (KANA) met under the chairmanship of Pir Mohammad Aslam Bodla, MNA in the parliament house.
The additional secretary Ministry of KANA briefed the committee about the Northern areas. The additional secretary apprised the committee that ministry has been assigned the work of policy formulation, administration and development of Northern Areas as well as relief and rehabilitation work and provision of civil supplies to the Northern areas.
He informed that according to the constitution of Pakistan 1973, Northern areas are not part of Pakistan till the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir is settled in accordance with the UN resolutions.
Government of Pakistan giving autonomy to the Northern areas, promulgated a legal framework order 1994, whereby minister of KANA was designated as chief executive and a deputy chief executive elected amongst the members of Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) along with his cabinet of ministers looks after the day to day affairs as well as development work under guidance of the ministry.
He further informed that government of Pakistan extends financial assistance to Northern areas administration for development of infrastructure, communications, education, social welfare, water management and health.
He further informed that an allocation Rs. 1.60 billion has been made for projects by federal government during the current financial year.
Committee asked the ministry to assist government of Northern areas for improvement of tourism related infrastructure since the area has a special significant being at junction of four highest mountains ranges.
Committee also asked to ministry to take up the issue of up graduation of airports with PIA, establishment medical and engineering colleges with higher education commission and improvement of roads with Ministry of communications.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Eng. Gyan Chand Singh, Israr-ul-Ebad Khan, Nabil Ahmad Gabool, Rubina Saadat Qaim Khani, Krishan Bheel, Moulvi Abdul Halim, Rukia Khanum Soomro and Dr. Syed Javed Hussain Mian.