What happened
The government announced on Tuesday 3 February 2026 that the monthly subsistence allowance for refugees of Jammu and Kashmir who arrived in 1989-90 would be increased to Rs5,000 per person, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam announced the increase on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, which is marked on 5 February. He said the decision by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was “a manifestation of deep love, commitment and unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people.”
The resettlement plan
Muqam described the refugees of Jammu and Kashmir as “very close to our hearts” and said their reintegration, rehabilitation and dignified resettlement were among the government’s top priorities. He said a Rs3 billion pilot project was under way to construct 750 residential houses.
According to the minister, the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has provided public land for the housing project, and, because that land was limited, additional land was being acquired through an award under legal procedure. He said the government considered the complete rehabilitation and resettlement of the refugees “not only a social responsibility, but also a national duty.”
The Solidarity Day holiday
Separately, the federal government declared a nationwide public holiday on Thursday 5 February, to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day, The Nation reported. All public and private offices, educational institutions and most businesses were to remain closed.
The government also directed that a one-minute silence be observed at 10:00 am across the country to remember Kashmiris who lost their lives. Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed each year to reaffirm Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue and to express support for the people of the region.
Why it matters
The two measures, announced within days of one another, put a social-welfare commitment and a symbolic national observance behind the same policy message ahead of 5 February. Muqam said the government would stand with the Kashmiri people until they achieve what he called their inalienable right to self-determination, and he pledged continued political, diplomatic and moral support at international forums.
What is still uncertain
The announcement did not put a figure on the number of people covered by the increased allowance or the total annual cost of the higher rate. The housing pilot’s completion timeline and the final cost of the land acquisition were also not specified.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published reporting, not eyewitness coverage. Sources were reviewed on 3 February 2026.
- Associated Press of Pakistan — "On Kashmir Solidarity Day, Pakistan ups monthly subsistence allowance for Jammu & Kashmir refugees to Rs 5,000"Published 3 February 2026 · Primary report: confirms the Rs5,000 allowance, the Amir Muqam announcement, the Rs3 billion/750-house pilot, the AJK land, and the quoted statements.
- The Nation — "Pakistan declares public holiday on Feb 5"Published 3 February 2026 · Confirms the nationwide public holiday and the 10:00 am one-minute silence for Kashmir Solidarity Day.
