MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The official document of Azad Kashmir’s Annual Development Program (ADP) 2025-26 has raised big questions on the government’s planning, administrative capacity, and utilization of development funds in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
According to official details, nearly Rs 934 million allocated for several important projects of public interest related to tourism, youth, and sports could not be used within the fiscal period and were surrendered.
The document further revealed that Rs 671 million allocated for the tourism and archaeology sector and Rs 263 million earmarked for youth, sports, and culture projects remained unused. Out of the total development budget of Rs 120 crore, only Rs 266 million could reportedly be utilized.
Records show that Rs 72.6 million allocated for the repair and restoration of the Red Fort Muzaffarabad could not be fully spent.
Similarly, Rs183.5 million allocated for tourism beautification, tourist attractions, and promotional projects in areas including Rawalakot, Sudhanoti, Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Kotli, and Mirpur was reportedly returned unused.
In addition, Rs347.4 million allocated for proposed development schemes in Rawalakot, Bagh, Sudhanoti, Neelum, Jhelum Valley, Mirpur, and Bhimber also remained unutilized.
The report further stated that several ongoing and proposed projects linked to youth, sports, and culture also failed to move beyond the planning stage despite the availability of funds.
Following the emergence of these figures, questions are being raised in political and public circles regarding the performance of Tourism Minister Fahim Rabbani, Advisor on Youth, Sports, and Culture, Sardar Ahmed Sagheer, and the concerned administrative head, Sardar Ansar Yaqoob.
Critics are questioning why major public welfare and tourism-related projects could not be completed despite the availability of significant development funds and why such a large amount had to be surrendered.
