Islamabad: Country Director of the World Food Program (WFP), Kris Kaye, met with the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chaudhary Anwar-ul-Haq, at the Jammu Kashmir House in Islamabad.
Kris Kaye and PM AJK Chaudhary Anwarul Haque held discussions on the WFP Country Strategic Plan 2023-27, which includes comprehensive planning for various sectors in Azad Kashmir such as public health, schools, nutrition, social welfare, and population welfare. Cooperation possibilities in various areas of the WFP were explored during the meeting, with a focus on achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the eradication of poverty and hunger, ensuring better health, environmental sustainability, quality education, and food security.
Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq assured full cooperation for the establishment of the WFP office in Azad Kashmir and emphasized providing complete support to all developmental organizations of the United Nations willing to set up offices in Muzaffarabad. He further directed that progress reports should be submitted on a monthly basis in this regard. The meeting also reached an agreement on enhancing the capabilities of management information systems in collaboration with the WFP and providing cooperation in programs like the nutrition program, community nutrition program, and wheat flour fortification. Additionally, school meals will be provided for children in schools.
During the meeting, the most Senior Minister and Finance Minister Colonel (R) Waqar Ahmed Noor, Additional Chief Secretary for Development/Federal Secretary Fiaz Ali Abbasi, Secretary Planning and Development Idrees Abbasi, WFP Field Office’s Incharge Nadeem Beg, Donor Consultant to WFP Syeda Isma Andarabi, Chief Foreign Aid Wasim Qureshi, Chief Health Matloob Hussain Raza, Chief Forest Imran Sadiq Malik, and Chief Education Syed Abraar Haider Gardazi were also present
The Planning and Development Department will align its annual development program 2023-24 with the SDGs and will also enhance the capacity of the food department’s storage facilities at the district level throughout Azad Kashmir. Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq expressed gratitude to the WFP Country Director, acknowledging the organization’s long-standing services in Azad Kashmir that have contributed to progress in various sectors. He expressed hope that the WFP will continue its cooperation in the future, and the government will provide full assistance in this regard.
The WFP Country Director also thanked the Prime Minister for dedicating time to the WFP despite his busy schedule. A documentary was presented during the meeting, showcasing the Prime Minister’s vision and an overview of developmental projects in Azad Kashmir. The meeting concluded with the Prime Minister presenting a souvenir to the WFP Country Director.