ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Kashmir has directed the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide a detailed briefing to the committee on the diplomatic efforts and engagement for the solution of Kashmir issue.

The committee recommended engaging media and civil society, especially local and international NGOs working in the field of human rights, to intensify lobbying for the Kashmir cause.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs and GilgitBaltistan met in Parliament House on Thursday to review the workings and performance of Ministry of Kashmir Affairs.

MNA Haji Imtiaz Ahmed Choudhry chaired the meeting.

Earlier, Secretary Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and GilgitBaltistan provided a comprehensive briefing on the working and performance of the ministry and its attached departments.

The secretary informed the meeting that the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and GilgitBaltistan is a small ministry with five departments working under it. The total budget of the ministry is Rs1, 388.77 million.

The secretary said that the prime responsibility of the ministry is to facilitate and act as a bridge between the governments of AJK and GB.

The main function of the ministry is to formulate policy and planning for GilgitBaltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.