AJK cabinet body approves endowment fund of Rs1bn for students.

Byline: Tariq Naqash

MUZAFFARABAD -- The cabinet development committee (CDC) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Monday approved the establishment of an endowment fund of Rs1 billion for Kashmiri students, acquiring technical and vocational training.

The decision was taken by the committee in a meeting, which was presided over by Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider. It was informed to participants of the meeting that 700 students will benefit from the fund. These students will be imparted technical and vocational training in reputed organisations, companies and factories of Pakistan, under the aegis of AJK's technical and vocational training authority (Tevta), which will sign a memorandum of understanding with the them. It was also decided that the endowment fund will not be utilised for any other purpose except training of students. The CDC also accorded approval for opening of the fund in a bank after accepting the offer.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Haider appreciated all departments, particularly the planning and development department, for 'proving with their performance, that AJK stood on top of other parts of the country with regard to development and timely utilisation of funds.'

'The dividends of this performance will obviously make a marked difference in the lives of our people. Pakistani governments have always extended generous support for AJK's development and progress. It is incumbent upon AJK's official machinery to leave no stone un-turned in translating that dream. Judicious, transparent and timely utilisation of...