SRINAGAR: There is no plan to give West Pakistani refugees permanent resident status in Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Revenue Syed Basharat Bukhari said in the Legislative Assembly today.
However, displaced people from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) are permanent residents of the state, the Minister said in reply to a question by independent MLA Er Sheikh Abdul Rashid.
Mr Bukhari said there are 31619 families who were displaced during 1947 from PoK. Being part of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, they are permanent residents of the State.
However, 5764 West Pak refugees, who have came from area which become West Pakistan are not permanent Residents of the state. However, they are citizens of the country, the reply said adding there is no plan to give them the status of permanent residents of the state.
The minister said that West Pak refugees are also not considered for appointment against any state government post because they are not permanent residents of J&K.
He said there are 3500 Chhamb refugees of 1965, 4600 refugees of 1971 (Camp) and 1965 refugees of 1971 non camp.
Displaced persons of PoK 1947, 1965 and 1971 both camp and non camp are eligible for appointment to any state government post and any of the democratic institutions, including Panchayat, Assembly, Legislative Council, Rajya Sabha and Parliament. (AGENCIES)
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