MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq on Monday said that the educated youth were the greatest asset of the country and his government would leave no stone unturned to ensure a better future for the next generation.

He was addressing the concluding session of the AJK Youth Summit 2023, organised by the Department of Sports, Youth and Culture on Monday.

“We have chalked out a comprehensive Youth Policy whereby educated youth can get loans to launch their own business,” he said, adding that loans to the tune of Rs500 million would be provided through Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) and Akhuwat Foundation.

Referring to the various initiatives the coalition government had taken during the past seven or so months, he said a positive change on the ground would be felt soon.

He claimed that a state endowment fund of Rs5 billion was being established for the orphans, disabled persons, widows/divorced women and senior citizens.

Under this scheme, a sum of Rs20,000 would be provided to the needy at the doorstep through easy-paisa accounts, he said.

Earlier, four working sessions of the summit were held on different issues and challenges during which experts from Pakistan and Azad Kashmir highlighted the intellectual abilities and positive social role of the young generation and discussed and shared ideas to help them strengthen socioeconomically.

On this occasion, different government and semi-government departments had established their stalls, showcasing particularly the Kashmiri art and craft-related products, such as shawls, pherans and kangris, manufactured under their supervision by localartisans.

University of AJK’s art and design department students also amused the audience with their singing skills.

The prime minister, who was accompanied by cabinet members, also inspected the stalls set up by various departments and appreciated the craftsmen and craftswoman.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2023