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

JAMMU: The progress in PoK is superficial and largely driven by Chinese funding with negligible Pakistani contribution, J&Okay CM Omar Abdullah mentioned Tuesday in the meeting 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 mentioned.
His remarks got here after NC MLA Saifullah Mir instructed that infrastructure in PoK was higher than on the Indian aspect. BJP’s RS Pathania objected, resulting in intervention from NC’s Nazir Gurezi and Peoples Conference’s Sajad Gani Lone, who defended Mir and highlighted the challenges confronted by locals, particularly in winter.
Mir mentioned: “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 mentioned: “They made people wear coats to create the facade of development. In reality, the pockets of those coats are empty.”
Urging restraint, Omar mentioned the meeting ought to not get entangled in pointless arguments. “Development should happen wherever needed.”
Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary assured that the demand for a tunnel in Kupwara’s Keran and Jumgund areas can 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 secure at 3,715 hectares since 2010-11, with plans for growth.