AJK PM Gilani Pledges Transparent Development, Better Public Services

MUZAFFARABAD: (Staff Reporter) – Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Iftikhar Gilani has reiterated his government’s commitment to improving healthcare and education facilities, infrastructure and employment opportunities across the region while ensuring transparency and efficient use of public funds.

Speaking at a series of meetings in Muzaffarabad on Tuesday, the prime minister said recruitment in the government sector would be carried out strictly on merit in accordance with the Third Party Recruitment Act.

During a meeting with a delegation from Lachhrat constituency led by former minister Chaudhry Shahzad Mahmood, the delegation highlighted various issues confronting local residents and invited the prime minister to visit the constituency. Gilani accepted the invitation.

Chaudhry Shahzad Mahmood thanked the prime minister for agreeing to visit the area.

Development Projects to Be Completed on Time

At a separate meeting on development schemes, Prime Minister Gilani directed authorities to ensure the timely completion of ongoing projects, noting that unnecessary delays lead to increased costs and put additional pressure on the public exchequer.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Development Atif Rehman, Principal Secretary Adnan Khurshid, Secretary Planning and Development Aamir Latif and other senior officials.

The prime minister stressed that development schemes should be properly planned before their launch, with potential issues resolved during the approval and initiation stages. He also instructed departments to engage reputable firms and contractors with relevant experience and established track records.

“Government projects should not be limited to inauguration ceremonies or plaques. Wherever public funds are spent, their impact should be visible on the ground,” he said.

Gilani emphasized that development activities must produce tangible benefits for ordinary citizens and called for public resources to be utilized transparently, efficiently and responsibly.

Development Projects Planned for Leepa Valley

Meanwhile, a delegation from Leepa Valley led by Raja Sohail Nasir Khan, Member of the Working Committee and Senior Vice President of PML-N Muzaffarabad Division, and Mukhtar Gilani, Joint Secretary of PML-N AJK, met with Prime Minister Gilani.

The delegation appreciated the government’s prompt response to the concerns of people affected by the Kappa Gali market incident and briefed the prime minister on other issues facing residents of Leepa Valley.

Gilani said development projects for the valley would be incorporated into the Annual Development Programme (ADP). He added that plantation and afforestation initiatives in Leepa Valley and other parts of AJK were among the government’s priorities, with practical measures being developed for their implementation.

The prime minister also assured the delegation that healthcare facilities in Leepa Valley would be improved and other basic needs of residents would be addressed.

He said the government would take all possible steps to resolve public grievances and continue its public-service agenda while keeping PML-N workers involved in the process.

AJK Digital Portal to Expand Online Services

Prime Minister Gilani also chaired a meeting to discuss the proposed AJK Digital Portal, which is intended to provide various government services to citizens through an online platform.

Principal Secretary Adnan Khurshid, Secretary Information Technology and Information Muhammad Rashid Hanif, Punjab Information Technology Board Additional Director General Muhammad Kashif Farooq, Programme Manager Noreen Anwar and Waqar Ali attended the meeting.

The participants briefed the prime minister on the proposed structure and establishment of the AJK Digital Portal, aimed at facilitating citizens through technology and improving access to government services.