Islamabad: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar has said that it is imperative for the prosperity and well-being of the people in Azad Kashmir for Pakistan’s scheduled banks, business institutions, and philanthropists to take concrete measures. The majority of overseas Kashmiris contribute significantly to the exchange of gold coming into Pakistan’s banks. Assistance from Pakistan is also necessary to address environmental issues in Azad Kashmir. With an 80% literacy rate in Azad Kashmir, Pakistani banks should initiate scholarship schemes to boost the morale of students.
He expressed these views while addressing the 16th CSR Conference organized by the National Forum for Environment and Health. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Engr. Iqbal Inqilabi, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan Jacob Lindeolf, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne, Member National Assembly Nafisa Shah, and President of the National Forum for Environment and Health Naeem Qureshi also addressed the conference.
Speaking at the conference, Speaker of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Chaudhry Latif Akbar said that recognizing the exemplary performance of corporate circles in agricultural activities is commendable. Efforts to promote agricultural activities for the benefit of deserving individuals by the National Forum for Environment and Health are praiseworthy. Corporate entities and relevant sectors should play a more supportive role in improving the conditions of vulnerable families.
He further stated that due to the lack of resources from the government’s end, there is always a need for active cooperation from private sectors and non-governmental organizations to fulfill the basic needs of marginalized classes. He emphasized the importance of cooperation from relevant philanthropists, benefactors, and charitable organizations for the provision of essential services including education, health services, food, housing, employment opportunities, clean drinking water, and sanitation.
He said that CSR initiatives by relevant philanthropists, benefactors, charitable organizations, and the corporate sector can also prove beneficial for addressing the issues of deprived Kashmiris in Pakistan. Speaker of the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly emphasized that the Benazir Income Support Program was one of the beneficial initiatives from the past governments of the Pakistan People’s Party for the welfare of disadvantaged families across the country. The Sindh government of the PPP has initiated several measures for the best possible service to the underprivileged classes. It is necessary for us to expand the scope of these welfare measures through active cooperation from relevant philanthropists, benefactors, and the corporate sector.