PM Shehbaz Assures Full Federal Support for AJK Development and Welfare
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured newly elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani of the federal government’s full cooperation for the development, prosperity and welfare of people in the region.
The assurance came during a meeting at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, the first between the two leaders since Gilani was elected AJK prime minister. The meeting focused on peace, development and ongoing public welfare projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Shehbaz Congratulates Newly Elected AJK Premier
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz congratulated Gilani on assuming office and conveyed his best wishes for his tenure.
The prime minister reaffirmed that Islamabad would continue taking all possible measures aimed at promoting the development and prosperity of the people of AJK.
Gilani thanked Shehbaz for the federal government’s support and pledged to use his capabilities to advance development and improve public welfare across the region.
The meeting follows Gilani’s election as AJK’s 17th prime minister in late August. The PML-N-backed candidate secured 30 votes against 14 for his PPP rival before taking the oath of office.
Peace and Development Discussed
The two leaders held detailed discussions on the situation in AJK, with peace, development and ongoing welfare initiatives forming the core of their talks.
The Prime Minister’s Office did not announce a new financial package or specific allocation during the meeting. Instead, Shehbaz gave a broader assurance that the federal government would continue cooperating with the AJK administration on development and public welfare.
That distinction is important: the meeting reaffirmed federal support but the available official statement does not identify a newly approved development package, grant or funding figure.
Federal Government Promises Continued Cooperation
Shehbaz said the federal government would continue extending full cooperation to the AJK government for the welfare and well-being of its people.
The commitment covers the broader objective of supporting development and prosperity in the region, according to the official account of the meeting.
The remarks reinforce the federal government’s existing position on cooperation with the AJK administration rather than announcing a new policy framework.
When Gilani was elected prime minister in August, Shehbaz had similarly pledged federal cooperation for AJK’s development, prosperity and improvements in living standards.
Gilani Pledges Focus on Public Welfare
The AJK prime minister thanked Shehbaz for his support and said he would devote his capabilities to the region’s development and the welfare of its people.
Gilani’s administration has begun setting out its governance priorities since taking office.
In a separate development reported Thursday, the AJK premier directed the region’s food authority to intensify action against adulterated and substandard food, describing safe and hygienic food as a fundamental responsibility of government.
His meeting with Shehbaz therefore comes as the new administration begins moving from the election period toward its governance and public-service agenda.
Senior Federal Officials Attend Meeting
Several senior federal officials were present during the talks.
They included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah Khan.
Their presence underscored the political and administrative significance of the new AJK government’s first high-level engagement with the federal leadership following Gilani’s election.
First Meeting Since Gilani’s Election
Gilani’s election marked the completion of the new parliamentary setup in AJK.
The PML-N-backed leader took oath as prime minister after securing a majority in the Legislative Assembly, while PPP leader Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin became Leader of the Opposition.
At the time, Shehbaz welcomed the continuation of the democratic process and expressed confidence that Gilani would work for the region’s development and public welfare.
Wednesday’s meeting provided the two leaders with their first opportunity since the election to discuss those priorities directly.
No New Financial Package Announced
While the meeting focused heavily on development and welfare, the official statements available after the talks did not specify new projects, budget allocations or financial assistance.
There was also no announcement of a special economic package for AJK.
The confirmed development is therefore a political and administrative commitment from the federal government to continue supporting the AJK administration, rather than the launch of a newly funded programme.
This distinction is important for accurate reporting because headlines referring to “support” should not be interpreted as confirmation of new financial assistance unless the government subsequently announces specific funding.
Federal-AJK Coordination in Focus
The meeting establishes an early working relationship between the federal government and Gilani’s new administration.
Peace and stability, development programmes and public welfare are likely to remain important areas of coordination between Islamabad and Muzaffarabad.
The presence of senior federal officials also suggests that political and administrative coordination will form part of the relationship between the two governments.
For now, the principal outcome is Shehbaz’s commitment that the federal government will continue providing full cooperation to the AJK government for development, prosperity and the welfare of its people, while Gilani has pledged to prioritise public progress during his tenure.
