Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Gillani on Monday resumed official engagements at his office in Muzaffarabad after spending the previous week in Islamabad meeting federal government officials to seek financial support for his administration’s 100-day reform agenda.
During the day, the prime minister met government officials as well as delegations of political activists and members of the public.
“An effective government must remain connected with the people and understand their problems first-hand. We will keep our doors open to people and use their feedback to improve governance and public service delivery,” Mr Gillani told the delegations.
He said addressing public grievances and ensuring the provision of basic services would remain key priorities of his government.
“Our immediate focus is on initiatives that can make a tangible difference to people’s daily lives. We are identifying priority areas and projects so that available resources are directed towards the needs of ordinary people,” he said.
Mr Gillani also highlighted Punjab’s experience in implementing public welfare and service-delivery initiatives, saying Azad Kashmir could benefit from an exchange of expertise.
He particularly referred to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and said her government had offered cooperation and was willing to share its experience in areas relevant to Azad Kashmir.
“We appreciate the offer of technical and administrative cooperation. Where another government has developed a successful model, there is no harm in learning from that experience and adapting it to our own requirements,” he said.
The prime minister said keeping government offices accessible to the public was an important strength of AJK’s governance system and should be utilised to gain a better understanding of issues faced by people at the grassroots level.
“Direct interaction with people gives us a better understanding of the difficulties they face. At the same time, I expect visitors to government offices to bring genuine grievances, useful suggestions or specific information so that this access remains meaningful and productive,” he said.
Mr Gillani said he had directed members of his cabinet to spend at least one or two days a week visiting different areas and interacting directly with residents to obtain first-hand information about their problems.
The prime minister listened to the visitors, who raised concerns regarding the provision of basic facilities and delays in development projects in their respective areas.
He reiterated that development projects would be planned and implemented according to the needs of local communities, particularly those living in remote and far-flung areas.
“Development must respond to the actual needs of local communities. Our objective is to ensure that public resources are used where they can bring the greatest relief to people and make their everyday lives easier,” he said.
