MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): A meeting of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet was held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir State, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, to discuss various austerity measures amid economic challenges.
At the beginning of the meeting, prayers were offered for the martyrs of the Pakistani armed forces, the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the martyrs of the Kashmir Liberation Movement.
The meeting approved the decisions of the federal cabinet in view of the recent international situation and economic imbalances. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir cabinet, on this occasion, fully appreciated the decisions of the federal cabinet in view of the recent situation.
Main Austerity Measures
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir cabinet decided to reduce the consumption of petrol and diesel by 50% in all government departments’ vehicles for the next two months under the austerity policy issued by the federal government, so that oil can be saved.
According to the cabinet decision, the government’s ministers, advisors, and special assistants will not draw salaries for the next two months. 25% will be deducted from the salaries of members of the assembly.
According to the decision of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir cabinet, the four days’ salary of government officers in grade 20 and above whose salary is more than three lakhs will be deducted and used to provide public relief.
In addition, other expenses are also being reduced by 20%. It was decided in the meeting that the furniture in government departments.
There will be a complete ban on the purchase of air conditioners and similar items; cabinet approval will be mandatory before any necessary purchase; there will be a complete ban on foreign visits of ministers, advisors, assistants, and officers of Azad Kashmir.
Teleconferencing and online meetings will be preferred in all government departments so that fuel savings can be made possible, one dish will be ensured at official dinners and iftar parties, conferences will be held at official places instead of hotels to reduce government expenses, and steps have also been taken in all government and private institutions to save fuel.
Except for the most essential services and sectors, 50 percent of the staff in all government and private institutions will work from home, it was decided in the cabinet meeting that offices will open only four days a week, an additional holiday is being given to save fuel; however, this will not apply to banks.
Online Classes and School Holidays
All schools are being given two-week holidays from the end of this week, and online classes are being started in all higher education institutions. Schools will remain completely closed till March 31; however, online classes will be started in the higher education sector within the available resources.
In addition, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir cabinet also approved Rs 2 billion for the purchase of health infrastructure, keeping in mind the needs of the health department. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir cabinet approved risk allowance for the field staff and field officers of Rescue 1122.
The cabinet approved the resolution presented to pay tribute to the services of the armed forces of Pakistan in the ongoing war against terrorism. The resolution was presented by Information Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Rafique Nayyar.
The cabinet strongly condemned the external aggression against Iran, appreciated the austerity policy of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and paid tribute to the struggle of the Kashmir freedom movement.
