AJK Government to Complete Development Projects on Time: PM Gilani

Kotli:Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Iftikhar Gilani has said the PML-N government was pursuing a comprehensive development plan under which projects would be completed within stipulated timelines, with priority given to public needs. Addressing a public gathering hosted by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) here on Sunday, the AJK premier said the government was working to improve governance and service delivery, provide basic amenities, create employment opportunities and accelerate development. ‎He said the targets set under the government’s 100-day program would be implemented in phases, adding that the government did not believe in “empty assurances” and that timely completion, quality and effective monitoring of projects were essential. The prime minister criticized previous governments for failing to complete any major infrastructure project, particularly roads, during the past five years despite making lofty claims. ‎On education, Mr Gilani said only upgrading institutions was not enough and stressed the need for teachers’ capacity building and skills development. He said all available resources would be utilised to train teachers and strengthen educational institutions. He said the government also planned to expand digital access and establish a portal through which people could directly access information about government tenders, development projects and other initiatives. The gathering was attended and addressed by Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, Tourism, Industries and Mineral Resources Minister Chaudhry Abdul Rehman Arain, Finance and Rehabilitation Minister Raja Muhammad Riysat Khan, Education Schools Minister Engineer Umair Naeem Advocate and Electricity Minister Raja Saqib Majeed.‎The speakers said that the PML-N leadership’s focus on development, infrastructure, economic growth and public facilities at the center would be replicated in the liberated territory.‎They said the trust placed by voters in the party in recent elections would be repaid through development projects and public welfare measures. They also said the government recognized the need for a “healing touch” to address public grievances and that special attention would be given to problems faced by people living along the Line of Control. ‎Highlighting local issues, the speakers said shortage of clean drinking water was the biggest problem faced by residents of Kotli city and described construction of a ring road as essential to ease traffic congestion.