30-point agenda cleared as PM Faisal Mumtaz Rathore chairs cabinet meeting in Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad: A meeting of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet was held on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore. A record 30-point agenda was presented and discussed during the meeting.
The cabinet approved a wide range of important decisions, including reducing the number of government departments to 20, the Eighth Amendment to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Accountability Bureau Act 2025, revision of the civil registration fee schedule under the Local Government Department, and the provision of financial assistance and medical facilities to all employees of the Electricity Department, including work-charged staff, who are injured or lose their lives during duty.
Approval was also granted for the Fifth Amendment to the Power Development Organization Act 2024, bilateral agreements for the utilization of water potential related to the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project, inclusion of the 1989–90 refugees’ scheme in the Annual Development Programme, revised and estimated budgets of Mangla Dam Housing Authority Mirpur for 2024–25 and 2025–26, establishment of the University of Haveli Endowment Fund, stipends for house job doctors, payment of 100 percent special allowance arrears to Civil Secretariat employees in light of a High Court decision, appointment of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, revised budgets of the Auqaf Department, and approval of additional funds for pension schemes of local government institutions.
The cabinet decided to withdraw the previous practice of seeking “in-principle approval” from the former prime minister and directed all departments to strictly follow the procedures laid down under the Rules of Business. Briefings were also given on the education package, stabilization of the Higher Education Department, and the new transport policy.
Relevant secretaries briefed the cabinet on the implementation of the agreement reached with the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee. It was informed that FIRs had been withdrawn, women and children police stations were being established at all three divisional headquarters, and the notification for a five-kilowatt electricity tariff had been issued. Compensation to the families of martyrs and the injured was underway, applications for government jobs for one family member of each martyr were being received, and educational boards in Mirpur and Rawalakot had been approved.
The cabinet was informed that a feasibility report for Mirpur International Airport had been prepared by the federal government, while federal funding of Rs10 billion would be provided for upgrading the electricity system after approval by the CDWP. It was also noted that the tax rate on transfer of property in Azad Kashmir had been aligned with Punjab.
The cabinet approved the draft related to the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project, under which Azad Kashmir will receive a royalty of Rs1.10 per unit of electricity produced, along with assurances regarding labor laws and tax payments by the operating company.
Speaking on amendments to the Accountability Act, Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore emphasized that accountability must be genuine and transparent, without room for political victimization. He stressed the need for a clear and effective scrutiny mechanism and directed that accountability laws should not be misused. He also instructed that all Electricity Department employees, including temporary and work-charged staff, must be provided financial assistance and medical treatment in case of injury or death during duty, and directed that the issue of Quran teachers be resolved on a priority basis.
The cabinet approved the inclusion of the scheme for land purchase and acquisition for housing for refugees of 1989–90 and onward in the ADP 2025–26, under which 750 houses are being constructed with federal support. Briefings were also given on education sector reforms, while proposals regarding the revision of the Samahni Greater Water Supply Scheme and easing the issuance of character certificates were discussed.
The cabinet also offered Fateha on the passing of the brother of Minister for Tourism Sardar Faheem Akhtar Rabbani.