Progress in PoK driven by China, not Pakistan: Omar Abdullah

JAMMU: The progress in PoK is superficial and largely driven by Chinese funding with negligible Pakistani contribution, J&K CM Omar Abdullah said Tuesday in the assembly amid a heated debate between National Conference (NC) and opposition BJP over border infrastructure.

“We have to accept that while there is limited development in our frontier areas, on the other side, there have been deliberate attempts to showcase progress. However, this so-called development was facilitated by China, not Pakistan,” Omar said.

His remarks came after NC MLA Saifullah Mir suggested that infrastructure in PoK was better than on the Indian side. BJP’s RS Pathania objected, leading to intervention from NC’s Nazir Gurezi and Peoples Conference’s Sajad Gani Lone, who defended Mir and highlighted the challenges faced by locals, especially in winter.

Mir said: “If someone had worn a coat, what is wrong when I say he is having a good coat?”

Mocking portrayal of prosperity in PoK, Omar said: “They made people wear coats to create the facade of development. In reality, the pockets of those coats are empty.”

Urging restraint, Omar said the assembly should not get entangled in unnecessary arguments. “Development should happen wherever needed.”

Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary assured that the demand for a tunnel in Kupwara’s Keran and Jumgund areas would be taken up with the Union highways ministry.

Agriculture minister Javed Ahmad Dar highlighted National Mission on Saffron’s success, saying cultivation of Kashmir’s prized spice has remained stable at 3,715 hectares since 2010-11, with plans for expansion.