ISLAMABAD: Speakers form the bigger political parties in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) said that the main issue in Azad Kashmir is sustainable revenue generation and gave little importance to the issue of the settlement of Kashmir in an interactive session on Tuesday.

The event titled `Social and Economic Empowerment of Young People in AJKOpportunities and Challenges` was hosted by the British Council and the Centre for Peace and Development Reforms and was part of a series of interactive sessions for highlighting the importance of political and socio-economic participation of the youth of Azad Kashmir.

Speakers from PML-N, PPP, PTl and Muslim Conference talked about the importance of revenue generation and denounced the release of grants by the Federal Government.

When asked to give a one-line message to the youth who were participating in the seminar, PML-N AJK Secretary General Shah Ghulam Qadir said: `Our main issue is revenue generation and if we are financially strong, we can make our own policies and streamline our governance.` Similar views were expressed by almost all the speakers, who criticised Islamabad for not allowing the AJK economy to become strong and self-sustaining.

Using calculated words, senior politician Sardar Attique Ahmed said that Islamabad and Delhi are hampering the growth of informal trade between locals along the Line of Control (LOC).

Regarding the limited opportunities for the youth in AJK, Mr Ahmed said: `There are capacity issues with the government functionaries in AJK and more than 50 functions, some even related to day-to-day activities are with the AJK Council.

Speakers criticised the powers vested in the AJK Council and AJK Finance Minister Latif Akbar said there are no budgets for the welfare of the youth due to the AJK Council`s policies.