MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) cabinet has approved the launch of a universal health card scheme and the restoration of student unions, alongside a package of administrative, fiscal and development measures, including cuts in property transfer taxes.
The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Faisal Rathore late on Monday, also decided to provide Rs2.9 billion in equity to Bank of AJK to help it obtain the scheduled-bank status from the State Bank of Pakistan, establish women police stations at divisional headquarters, and fix the number of administrative departments at 20.
Among other key decisions, the cabinet approved uniform domestic and commercial power tariffs for 5kV and 60kV consumers, waived Rs139 million in outstanding electricity dues, and sanctioned the establishment of education boards in Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot.
The cabinet decisions were shared with the media by Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed and Minister for Forests Sardar Javed Ayoub on Tuesday.
Mr Ayoub said the government would initiate the health card scheme immediately after finalising an agreement with State Life Insurance. A committee led by the health minister would identify hospitals and submit its report within five days, he added.
On education reforms, he said staff shortages would be addressed under a rationalisation formula of one teacher per 25 students. New posts would be created where required, while surplus teachers would be shifted within the same union council. Institutions would also be upgraded or newly established on a need basis.
A separate committee headed by the higher education minister would present its recommendations on the revival of student unions within five days. He said a finance minister-led committee would also submit proposals within five days to reduce taxes on property transfers.
A committee has also been formed for the rehabilitation of Mangla Dam-affected families, which would submit its report within five days, after which land allotment for the affectees would begin.
The cabinet further approved a revised scheme for the Revenue Complex in Muzaffarabad, the launch of solid waste management projects in nine district headquarters, and procurement of machinery for the Communications and Works Department in Poonch.
Projects earlier cleared by the Cabinet Development Committee (CDC) also received approval. These included the 500kW Pathyali and 500kW Haryala hydropower projects in Muzaffarabad, costing Rs495.305 million and Rs499.250m, respectively, and the 220-metre Gulpur bridge in Kotli at a cost of Rs824.369m.
Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2025
