BEIJING, Feb 28 (APP): Former President and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan Wednesday thanked the Chinese government for providing US $ 300 million for the reconstruction of Muzaffarabad, capital of AJK, which was badly hit by the October 8, arthquake. We appreciate if the Chinese companies take part in the task of reconstruction of Muzaffarabad, as they have latest technology and vast experience of construction specially in areas like AJK.
Sardar Qayyum who was here after attending a moot on world peace organisation held in Seoul said that he had held fruitful and far reaching meetings with Chinese think tanks to promote bilateral cooperation in development sector.
He said he was impressed by Chinese people, as they were intelligent, sincere and knowledgeable.
Sardar Qayyum said he is grateful to the civil society as well as Chinese government for their participation in provision of relief goods, medical services, rehabilitation and reconstruction work` in the quake-hit areas.
Sardar Qayyum said that AJK Prime Minister also plans to visit China to personally extend his thanks to the people and Chinese government for their outstanding contribution towards the rehabilitation and reconstruction work.
Sardar Qayyum said that Chinese were among the few nations whose volunteers were first to reach the devastated areas.
He said that China can help us in big way by inviting students here to continue their studies in various disciplines as most of the educational institutions were razed by the Oct 8 quake and the youth are unable to continue their education.
He said AJK has tremendous water resources and if these were harnessed we can generate huge quantity of electricity that not only fulfills the need of AJK, but it could meet the requirements of Pakistan and even be exported.
The AJK government has already prepared outlines on these projects including buildings of dams and submitted the same to Pakistan Ambassador to China Salman Bashir. He said that he talked with Prime Minister Sardar Attique and asked him to prepare a comprehensive feasibility report for power generation projects, so that the same could be taken up with the Chinese companies for implementation.
He said, "we want participation of private sectors of China in these gigantic projects, as they have expertise and can accomplish the task smoothly and at the earliest.
He pointed out that there are many areas in AJK for investment that include fisheries, irrigation, wildlife, as well as tourism and if these sectors are tapped they could play an important role in the socio-economic development of the people.
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