MUZAFFARABAD (Safeer Raza Chughtai): The Azad Kashmir government on Wednesday announced an increase in the allowances for police department employees after the personnel went on a pen-down strike.
On Monday, the police officials across the state, from grade 1 to grade 16, observed a strike to press the government to substantially increase their salaries as well as allowances at par with other departments.
Addressing a press conference today after the cabinet meeting, the AJK Home Minister Col. (retd) Waqar Noor said that the ration allowance for police personnel has been increased to support their welfare.
Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan and Law Minister Mian Abdul Waheed, and Information Secretary Sardar Adnan Khurshid were also present.
Senior Minister Noor said that the cabinet has decided that the uniform and risk allowance will be paid according to the basic salary of 2015, providing additional financial support.
“A high-level committee has been formed to consider other demands of the police, ensuring their concerns are addressed,” he told reporters.
Col. (retd) Waqar stated that steps are being taken to make the police force more active and on more modern standards; however, the benefits of the martyrs of the armed forces and police cannot be equal because the army has more exposure to terrorism.
Moreover, Finance Minister Abdul Majid announced that the government has also decided to immediately release Rs800 million to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) to enhance disaster management and response capabilities.
While briefing on the monsoon situation, the minister said that five remote-controlled boats capable of rescuing people stranded in rivers up to 70 meters have been purchased.
He added that modern drones are also being ordered, which can easily carry the weight of a person, to aid in rescue operations.
“Warning notices have been issued to people living in flood-prone areas, and their relocation to safer places will be ensured during emergencies,” Majid added.
Furthermore, the minister stated that the arrangements for food and nutrition have been completed for those shifted to safer places, ensuring their well-being.
The ministers made it clear that citizens affected by the negligence of any institution will not be left at the mercy of the circumstances.
