Islamabad: The Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, and States and Frontier Regions convened at Parliament House on April 29, 2025, under the chairmanship of Haji Imtiaz Ahmed Choudhry, MNA, to evaluate the performance of the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), review local body devolution plans, and assess the budget allocations for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Officials from the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and SAFRON briefed the committee on a range of topics, including administrative performance, development projects, and ongoing policy initiatives. A notable highlight was the successful organization of local body elections in AJK, held after a 31-year hiatus. The committee praised this as a significant step toward strengthening grassroots democracy and citizen participation in the region’s governance.
The committee was informed that the government had allocated PKR 1,600 million for the fiscal year 2024–25 to support local governance in AJK. These funds are earmarked for the enhancement of municipal infrastructure, the expansion of basic services, and the promotion of inclusive governance mechanisms across various districts.
A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to the Afghan refugee issue, specifically the Afghan Management and Repatriation Policy. Discussions addressed welfare concerns, repatriation logistics, access to education and healthcare, availability of banking and livelihood resources, and protection systems for vulnerable groups. The committee also reviewed the operational difficulties faced in border control, urban refugee integration, diminishing international aid, and the risk of new refugee influxes.
Expressing deep concern over the lack of a unified national policy for Afghan refugees, the committee stressed the urgency of presenting this matter in Parliament. It called for the creation of a cohesive and inclusive national framework, built on inter-agency collaboration and international partnerships, to tackle the evolving humanitarian crisis effectively.
Furthermore, the committee endorsed three major projects proposed by the Ministry for immediate approval by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. These include the Strengthening Institutions for Refugees’ Administration (SIRA), the Housing Community Support Programme (HCSP), and the proposed Mountaineering Institute to be established in Shigar, Gilgit-Baltistan.
Attendees at the meeting included Members of the National Assembly such as Mr. Tahir Iqbal, Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, Dr. Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Ms. Munaza Hassan (attending online), Mr. Shahzada Muhammad Gushtasap Khan, Mian Ghous Muhammad, Mr. Abdul Aleem Khan, and Mr. Anwar-ul-Haq Chaudhary, Parliamentary Secretary, along with senior officials from the relevant ministries and affiliated departments.
