Muzaffarabad, (Parliament Times) : Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Information, Auqaf, and Religious Affairs Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Rafique Nayyar
has stated that the Central Press Club is the heart of Azad Kashmir. Speaking at a press conference in Muzaffarabad, he said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will contest the upcoming elections based on the performance of its short-term government.
He emphasized that the Joint Public Action Committee members are considered brothers, and the government is always ready to engage with them. The minister also assured that media guidance would be taken and the issues of press clubs would be resolved on a priority basis.
Highlighting the government’s achievements in just one and a half months in power, he said that the administration, under the leadership of Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, has worked day and night to address public issues. He noted that the chaotic environment in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and Ministers’ Block has been eliminated, and a record five cabinet meetings were held in 45 days to fast-track resolution of public matters.
He added that restoring public trust was the government’s biggest challenge, and by the grace of Allah, significant progress has been made.
Matters under the Action Committee’s purview have largely been resolved, while some constitutional issues are progressing through their stages. Work is also advancing swiftly on federal matters.
He announced that the government has provided the required Rs 2.9 billion to AJ Bank to upgrade it to scheduled bank status, which is expected soon. All Scale-1 employees have been made permanent and given an extra month’s salary. BHUs in remote areas have been activated, and approval has been given for first aid posts along the LoC. Work is underway to start cardiac services at CMH Rawalakot, and the upper age limit for employment opportunities for educated youth has been raised to 41 years. Property tax has been aligned with Punjab, and health card services are expected to start by January 20.
In response to a question, the minister said that compensation has been provided to the families of martyrs and the injured during the Action Committee protests. Plans for upgrading the electricity system and providing MRI and CT scan machines in district hospitals have been sent to the Planning Commission, and the Prime Minister will personally meet officials regarding this soon.
Minister recalled that when he previously held the information portfolio, he toured press clubs across AJK to address their issues. He expressed satisfaction that the Central Press Club has now been reunited.
Regarding electricity needs, he said that approvals have been given for the Haryala and Pithiali hydro projects in Muzaffarabad. He added that 300 ad-hoc lecturers have been appointed purely on merit to prevent disruption in students’ education.