Passport office inaugurated in Rawlakot

Rawalakot 13 Aug 2009

Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik Thursday inaugurated a passport office here in Rawlakot where flight service will also be started soon.Addressing a big rally later, the Minister said that the conspiracy to destabilise the country has been foiled by successfully breaking the networks of terrorists in Swat and Malakand Division and Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He said that establishment of new passport office in the area was a promise of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto which has been fulfilled now. He said that the PPP Chairperson sacrificed her life for the cause of democracy and the poor masses. She gave a new vision to the world, and restoration of democracy was the outcome of her vision.Stating that the PPP has always supported the Kashmiris right to self-determination, he urged the United Nations to take steps for implementation of its resolutions of Kashmir.He said that these UN resolutions have not been implemented despite passage of 62 years. He made it clear that without permanent resolution of this long-standing dispute, lasting peace was not possible in the region. “Pakistan would continue its political, moral and diplomatic support for the cause of Kashmir, and there would be no compromise on Kashmir issue”, he said emphatically. The minister said that the Federal Government would provide all possible help for progress of AJK.He further said that the government would provide funds for expansion of Rawlakot and Muzaffarabad airports and construction of new airports at Mirpur and Kotli. Rehman Malik said that there was great scope of promoting tourism in AJK, and promised that the government would provide maximum facilities to the tourists. Besides others, AJK Prime Minister Sardar Muhammad Yaqub Kahn also addressed the public rally.Earlier the Interior Minister Rehman Malik and AJK PM Sardar Yaqub formally inaugurated the new passport office in Rawlakot. Director General Passport Office briefed the Interior Minister about the new passport office. The minister directed that latest equipment should be provided to the new Passport Office.He also called for utmost care in the process of issuance of new passports. He issued directions for shifting of NARA office in the Passport Office building. Later, the minister was given a briefing on hydel power projects and tourism in AJK. Inspector General AJK Javed Iqbal gave the minister a briefing on law and order situation in the state and apprised him about the problems faced by the police force. Speaking on the occasion, Rehman Malik said that AJK police training School would be upgraded to college level, and announced Rs 500 million grant for construction of two police stations buildings in AJK.