MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) cabinet has approved a Rs1 billion interest-free loan scheme to support skilled youth, including women, transgenders, and persons with disabilities, in launching their own businesses, with the markup fully covered by the state.

Briefing media persons on the proceedings of the 29thsession of cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq earlier in the day, finance minister Abdul Majid Khan asserted that the selection process for deserving skilled youth would be made purely on merit, without any regional, tribal, political or gender-based discrimination.

The markup on these loans would be covered by the AJK government, he added.

He hinted that the initial Rs1 billion allocation could be increased in future.

In response to a question, the minister confirmed that the Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan would also be eligible for loans under the scheme, subject to the specified criteria.

`Let me clarify that the eligibility criteria for obtaining loans will align with the State Bank`s guidelines, and the utilization of funds will be strictlymonitored,` he said.

The finance minister informed that amendments to the Local Government Act had been approved in the light of recommendations from a cabinet committee to empower local government (LG) representatives.

Additionally, an amount of Rs1 billion was sanctioned by the cabinet for development projects under elected LG representatives.

The finance minister said that in view of the severe environmental challenges posed by climate change, including depleting water sources and declining agricultural productivity, a `Task Force on Climate Change` was formed at the cabinet meeting.

`This task force has been given full authority to set its terms of reference (ToR), including discretion to conduct visits within and outside the country and take necessary steps to mitigate environmental impacts,`he said.

On implementation of the health card scheme in AJK, the finance minister informed that health minister Nisar Ansar Abdali had been instructed to finalize this issue within a few days.

He said a policy concerning contract employees in the higher education sector was also approved, which would berefined before being made public.

Regarding the appointment of the AJK Chief Election Commissioner, Mr Khan said a panel of nominees would soon be submitted to the Chairman of the AJK Council (Prime Minister of Pakistan), who would finalize the selection.

`I am confident that this constitutional position will be filled soon.

The cabinet expressed satisfaction with the law and order situation, following a briefing by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rana Abdul Jabbar.

He said the recent attack on the convoy of Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar was also discussed at length.

`Chaudhry Latif Akbar is a respected senior political leader, but this is also about upholding the dignity of the constitutional office he holds, he said.

`All suspects involved in the attack will be dealt with according to the law, without considering their political affiliations, he declared.

The cabinet decided to mark `Kashmir Solidarity Day` on Feb 5 in a significant manner, featuring various events, he said, adding, a special session of the Assembly would be held, likely to be addressed by a high profile VVIP personality from Islamabad.