Government has delivered on key reforms, rebuilt public confidence: AJK PM

ISLAMABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore announced Friday that his administration has fulfilled 98% of the reform agenda agreed last year with the Joint Awami Action Committee, a move he says has stabilized the region and restored public confidence in the political system.

Speaking at a news conference in Muzaffarabad, the AJK PM stated that the government prioritized the implementation of the "38-Point Agreement" signed with the committee representatives.

The accord addressed long-standing economic and administrative grievances that had previously sparked unrest in the region.

The AJK PM said the administration implemented the agreed terms just six weeks after taking office to bridge the divide between the state and the public.

"The public has once again placed its confidence in the democratic process," he said. "In just one and a half months, we have implemented all matters related to the agreement promised with the Joint Awami Action Committee during the oath-taking ceremony."

Reforms enacted
The AJK PM issued formal directives to launch a universal health card scheme intended to support low-income residents.

The AJK government also advanced the financial status of the Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The administration approved a Rs9 billion ($32 million) capital injection to meet State Bank of Pakistan requirements. This will help pave the way for the institution to operate as a scheduled commercial bank.

It has maintained the subsidized tariff structure for electricity and wheat flour mandated by the agreement. It is also proceeding with the restoration of the Local Government Act of 1990 to devolve administrative power to local representatives.

Governance and stability
The AJK PM said that the government’s adherence to the pact has eliminated any public distrust that characterized the previous year. He said the current administration is focused on preventing any return to instability or violence.

AJK PM Rathore noted that the cabinet, which has convened five times since assuming office on Nov. 17 last year, resolved public interest issues through dialogue rather than confrontation. He said the government seeks to compete only with its own performance standards to ensure continued service delivery.

The administration has now turned its focus to the remaining procedural aspects of the agreement to ensure full compliance, he added.