ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), pledging full cooperation to accelerate infrastructure projects, promote tourism and trade, and improve public services across the region.
Deputy PM Dar gave the assurance during a meeting with AJK President Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan and Prime Minister Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani, during which the participants discussed measures to speed up development across multiple sectors, a statement issued by the Foreign Office said on Thursday.
The discussions focused on expanding local trade, strengthening regional tourism and completing key road infrastructure projects to improve connectivity and create new economic opportunities.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a meeting with the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Dr. Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan, and the Prime Minister of AJK, Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani.
Detailed discussions centered on accelerating multi-sectoral development across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with a specific focus on expanding local trade, strengthening regional tourism and completing critical road infrastructure projects. The President and Prime Minister of AJK highlighted the deep-rooted and enduring people centric mutual bonds and emphasized the importance of targeted federal assistance to boost public service delivery, upgrade healthcare and educational facilities and create meaningful economic opportunities for the youth.
The DPM/FM expressed confidence that the leadership of AJK will continue taking effective, result-oriented measures to fulfill the aspirations of the local populace. He reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to the region’s progress and assured full cooperation to support ongoing development initiatives and enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people of AJK.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary also attended the meeting.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 29, 2026
The AJK president and prime minister highlighted the longstanding, people-centred ties between Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
They stressed the need for targeted federal assistance to improve public service delivery, upgrade healthcare and educational facilities, and generate meaningful employment opportunities for young people.
Dar expressed confidence that the AJK leadership would continue to take effective, results-oriented measures to meet the aspirations of the local population.
He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to the region’s progress and assured the AJK leadership of its full support for ongoing development initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of the people.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary also attended the meeting.
