AJK to promote people-centric governance, says Rathore

MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has said that strengthening democratic system, upholding the rule of law and ensuring welfare of the people remain his government’s top priorities.

Addressing a delegation of District Council Muzaffarabad, he said the government sees dialogue and sustained communication as key to address public issues. “Maintaining effective communication with the public and fostering a strong, trust-based relationship between citizens and the government have been top priorities,” he noted.

Referring to various challenges faced by the AJK people, Rathore said many problems had existed for decades, which cannot be attributed to any single government and stressed that the only way forward was to learn from past mistakes.

He added a climate of trust and confidence had been fostered through public interaction and direct communication between political leadership and citizens.

The PM thanked the federal government for providing full support for development projects in AJK.

“Those chosen by the public have a duty to serve the people and stay accountable; this is essential to establish trust,” he maintained. “Civic services, road infrastructure, health and education projects, and other development activities in Muzaffarabad and other cities are being expedited,” Rathore said.

Implementation of the agreement with Public Action Committee, he said, was in progress and all public welfare projects were being run transparently.

He said his government’s sole mission was to promote transparent, people-centric governance and guarantee fundamental rights for all citizens, adding: “Real change is not possible without public participation”.

The delegation comprised members and office-bearers of the council -- including Ms Maha Jabeen Abbasi, Chairman District Council Sardar Imtiaz Ahmed Abbasi, Chaudhry Abdul Naeem, Mir Imtiaz Ahmed, Basharat Khan Mughal, Mir Adil Hussain, Khawaja Muhammad Imtiaz, Ijaz Iqbal, Nadeem Mumtaz Mir and Aamir Zafar.