Govt. committed to AJK development, urges JAC cooperation: Dr. Tariq Fazal

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, urging members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) to support ongoing initiatives instead of raising minor objections that could hinder progress

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Feb, 2026) Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, urging members of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) to support ongoing initiatives instead of raising minor objections that could hinder progress.

Addressing a press conference alongside Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam, he highlighted that all scheduled meetings have been attended and substantial progress has been made on key issues affecting the region.

He criticised the boycott of recent meetings by JAC representatives, saying such actions delay the delivery of development benefits to the people of AJK.

“These meetings are crucial for resolving core issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including healthcare, infrastructure, and electricity,” he said.

He added that the federal government has allocated Rs10 billion to improve power infrastructure, ensuring affordable electricity and better load management in the region.

He appealed to the JAC to set aside minor objections over committee leadership and focus on the broader developmental agenda.

Highlighting the role of the Kashmiri diaspora in monitoring progress, he urged them to acknowledge the government’s efforts while recognising that unnecessary delays often stem from internal resistance within the JAC.

“The people of AJK should know who is genuinely committed to their development and who is obstructing progress over trivial disputes,” he added.

On the matter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s medical treatment, he said all necessary care for the PTI founder and other prisoners at Adiala Jail is being fully ensured. He criticised PTI for politicising the issue.

He said PTI’s February 7 strike, aimed at nationwide protests, failed, including in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). “Even in Peshawar, where the provincial government is from PTI, there was no shutdown,” he added.

He said that large public gatherings seen in the media were largely organised by Pakistan Muslim League-N supporters, while PTI could not hold successful rallies.

He outlined that an injection addressing the PTI founder’s eye condition was administered on January 24, with a second dose planned in the coming days and a third after one month.

The procedure is being carried out under the top eye specialists at the best available hospital in the Rawalpindi-Islamabad region. “The government is fully performing its responsibility,” he said.

He also criticised PTI for road blockages in KP during protests, which caused fatalities, delayed ambulance access, and stranded funeral processions.