Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq had a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir congratulated Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz on assuming office and expressed good wishes. Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shahbaz assured unconditional support for Azad Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan. He said that in the pursuit of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with them. Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq expressed gratitude for Prime Minister of Pakistan’s visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir and said that it indicates Pakistanis’ hearts beat with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Prior to this, Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq welcomed Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif at the helipad.
Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq congratulated Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on being elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, expressing gratitude for his sincere efforts to express solidarity with the Kashmiris in this difficult time. He said that your visit will further increase the love for the country in the hearts of Kashmiris. There is a need for further improvement measures to deal with natural and man-made disasters in Azad Kashmir, including strengthening institutions such as SDMA/Rescue 1122, on which the government is effectively working. The presence of Prime Minister of Pakistan among the affected has boosted our and the affected people’s morale, for which I am thankful to you. The people and government of Pakistan have always extended more than expected support to the people and government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in difficult times, and your visit today is a continuation of this tradition. Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir expressed these sentiments while addressing the distribution ceremony of relief checks to the rain and snow affected.
Prime Minister said that the area of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is extremely important in terms of climatic and geographical conditions. It is one of the most affected regions by climate change. This region is densely populated on extremely active fault lines, besides flash floods, river floods, heavy rainfall, and snowfall exacerbate the problems of the people. He said that whether it is the earthquake of 2005 or the floods after 1992, 2010, 2014, or the earthquake of Mirpur in 2019, this region has been affected. He said that during the recent snowfall and rains, almost all major roads faced difficulties due to landslides, which were managed timely and efficiently through better planning. Prime Minister said that in the whole of Azad Kashmir, especially in Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions, properties suffered damage. Loss of 8 precious lives and complete destruction of 88 houses occurred during the recent snowfall, while 221 houses were partially damaged. In addition, 4 temporary shelters, 26 shops, and other business establishments also suffered losses.