MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has decided to launch health card scheme for people across the state, Health Minister Nisar Ansar Abdali said on Thursday.
In an interview with Syed Ghulam Raza Kazmi at Kashmir Digital podcast, AJK Health Minister said that the government of Azad Kashmir is going to introduce a package for the treatment and care of the people and this health card will be better than the previous package.
Furthermore, he said that the salaries of doctors in Azad Kashmir have been adjusted according to the federal package. “There are 1,000 vacancies in the Azad Kashmir Health Department, for which non-state doctors and administrative officers can apply,” he said.
Speaking in the program, Nisar Ansar Abdali said that the budget has been increased for emergency services in Azad Kashmir. The mismanagement was observed due to the negligence of some individuals, however, there is no shortage of medicines in all THQ and DHQ hospitals, Abdali added.
In addition to that, the AJK health minister alleged that thousands of people come out on the streets for flour and electricity issues, but even 100 people fail to gather on Kashmir special days, adding that the Joint Awami Action Committee is responsible for all this.
Answering the question regarding the local government representatives issue, the minister stated the government has settled the matter with the local government representatives, but suddenly the court’s decision came, postponing the agreement.
“If even a councilor-level person threatens the members of the assembly to enact legislation, then what is the need for these members of the assembly?” he questioned.
The current government has released funds to the local government representatives and more will be released, Abdali said. He further alleged that the government releases funds for local government institutions, but they also have to generate their resources.
In response to a question, the Health Minister said that local government institutions have been established, but it is the job of local government representatives to run them according to their spirit. “The main purpose of establishing local government institutions is to increase the tax net, reduce the government burden and generate their resources at the local level,” he added.
Health Minister Dr. Nisar Ansar Abdali, in response to a question, said that they can see a change in the political scenario in Azad Kashmir.
“Decisions will be made in due course, but I do not see an early election. Earlier, attempts were made to hold an early election, all of which failed.”
