MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) cabinet on Monday approved the establishment of special courts for overseas Kashmiris and the allocation of 2% of the budget for sports activities, among other proposals.
The cabinet meeting, chaired by PM AJK Barrister Iftikhar Gillani, discussed 19 agenda items, with the majority approved, government ministers said at a press conference in Muzaffarabad.
The briefing was attended by Col. (retd) Waqar Ahmed Noor, Dr Mustafa Bashir Abbasi, Raja Saqib Majeed and Chaudhry Abdul Rehman.
The ministers said special courts would be established to facilitate overseas Kashmiris, while two per cent of the budget would be allocated to promote sports activities across Azad Kashmir.
The cabinet also approved the establishment of Gems Excellence Centres to promote the mineral sector. The centres will provide training in gemstone identification, processing, marketing, research and skills development.
Financial assistance has also been approved for local government institutions to address pension-related issues faced by their employees, the ministers said.
In addition, the meeting approved the unification of the administrative structure of SDMA and State Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (SERRA).
They added that the government’s 100-day agenda would be launched soon following the arrival of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Muzaffarabad and the provision of funds.
They said that the government is preparing a 100-day plan featuring short-, medium- and long-term development initiatives across various sectors.
Health facilities to be improved
The Minister of Public Health said that under the health component of the plan, facilities at two basic health units (BHUs) and one rural health centre (RHC) in each district will be improved. Reforms will also be introduced at tehsil headquarters hospitals, he stated.
The government plans to establish cardiac catheterisation laboratories in Bhimber, Kotli and Rawalakot, along with two stroke centres in Azad Kashmir.
The ministers said several initiatives, including the Dhirani Programme, Shatra Kashmir Programme, Himmat Card, Clinic on Wheels and INT Digitalization, would also be launched under the 100-day agenda.
They said the government was giving special attention to tourism, with plans to identify new tourist destinations.
The ministers added that the government’s focus extended beyond conventional development projects to strengthening state institutions, improving public service delivery and promoting sustainable economic and social development.
