MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The meeting of the Azad Kashmir government’s committee on empowering local government representatives ended again without taking any effective decision regarding the funds allocation to local government representatives.
The government established a committee to make local government institutions effective and to present recommendations to the government for empowering local government representatives.
During today’s meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Azad Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, all outstanding issues were discussed, however, no final decision was taken regarding the last month’s agreement reached between the government and LG representatives over the budget allocations for local councils.
It was decided in the meeting that to finalise the matters agreed upon between both parties on February 18, court orders and matters related to legislation, a joint meeting of eminent lawyers of Azad Kashmir would be held on March 24 (Monday).
The local government representatives who are also lawyers and have expertise in the legal matter would be summoned in the meeting, where the future course of action will be determined.
Today’s meeting was also attended by several government ministers including Deewan Ali Chughtai, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Senior Minister Colonel (retd) Waqar Ahmed Noor, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mian Abdul Waheed. In addition to the members of the government committee and ministers, the meeting was attended by Chairman District Council Muzaffarabad Sardar Imtiaz Ahmed Abbasi, Chairman District Council Poonch Sardar Javed Sharif, and other local government representatives.
On February 18, the AJK government conceded to most of the demands put forward by local government (LG) representatives following their threat of a strike and a march towards the Legislative Assembly. The accepted demands include the provision of funds, the creation of new posts, and a one-year extension in the tenure of LG institutions.
The agreement was reached during a meeting at Kashmir House between a six-member ministerial committee and a delegation representing LG institutions.
Earlier, the Azad Kashmir High Court also issued a landmark verdict, stopping the government from releasing funds to members of the AJK Legislative Assembly.
The high court accepted the plea filed by the local government representatives in 2023 against the government for not getting funds and power under Azad Jammu and Kashmir Local Government Act, 1990.
