BAGH (Kashmir English): Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, has announced that the age limit to apply for government jobs is being increased to 41 years, declaring it a major relief for the youth of the state.
Addressing a massive rally at the grounds of Pilot High School, Bagh, the Prime Minister said that the people of Bagh had “revived the politics of the state,” making it clear that his government’s mission was public service and systemic reform rather than cosmetic change.
He also announced that Bagh will be granted the status of a Big City, Bagh Hospital will be upgraded to a Teaching Hospital, and a Boys University campus will be established in Bagh.
The premier reaffirmed that his government would “go to the extreme” to fully implement the agreement with the Public Action Committee, adding that the AJK cabinet had already approved public demands and that they personally went to meet the committee.
“We have no ego. Our relationship with Pakistan is based on the Kalima Tayyaba,” he said, adding that grievances are always with one’s own people, but “Pakistan has always kept us close. We are Pakistanis and Pakistan is ours.”
The Prime Minister said that in his meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, public demands were clearly presented. He praised Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as “the strong voice of Kashmiris,” and said Pakistan’s prestige at the global level had strengthened due to Field Marshal General Asim Munir.
Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said the PPP took responsibility in difficult conditions, proving that the public stands firmly behind the current government.
“The pain of the common man is my pain,” he remarked. “If we have to suffer losses or even go to jail while solving public problems, it will be an honour.”
Moreover, Rathore said the present government was a true workers’ and people’s government, committed to strengthening the local government system and resolving inherited issues.
“Today, activity has returned to the Civil Secretariat. We regularized daily-wage workers immediately, gave them one month’s additional salary, approved making AJK Bank a scheduled bank, and issued health cards,” he added.
He emphasized that the gap between the people and politicians had ended, and today, every citizen in AJK had access to cheap electricity and flour.
“Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has directed that not a moment should be wasted in resolving public issues,” Rathore said.
Former President and PM Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, former PM Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, senior ministers, cabinet members, legislators, advisers, and thousands of workers and citizens attended the rally, which political observers described as one of the largest public gatherings in recent years.
