New Cabinet Portfolios Announced for AJK Ministers

In a significant move for governance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Prime Minister Iftikhar Gillani assigned portfolios to eight ministers on Saturday, shortly after their swearing-in. This decision is part of the government's strategy as they prepare for upcoming elections in the Poonch and Sudhnoti districts.

The allocations were made according to the Rules of Business (Revised) from 1985, with Mr. Gillani maintaining several important portfolios, including Local Government, Finance, and Planning.

Assigned Ministerial Roles

Sardar Mir Akbar will lead the Physical Planning and Housing department, while Waqar Ahmed Noor has been tasked with overseeing Forests, Wildlife, and Fisheries. Dr. Mustafa Bashir Abbasi will manage health services, and Chaudhry Azhar Sadiq has been appointed to Higher Education.

Furthermore, Sardar Umair Naeem will handle Elementary and Secondary Education, and Raja Saqib Majeed is responsible for Energy and Water Resources. Raja Muhammad Riasat will oversee Revenue and Rehabilitation, with Chaudhry Abdul Rehman Arain managing Tourism, Industry, Labour, and Mineral Resources.

Focus on Governance and Development

Following the distribution of portfolios, Prime Minister Gillani led a meeting to outline the priorities for the government's 100-day agenda. Key areas of focus will include health, education, and infrastructure improvements, aligning with the party's commitment to good governance as envisioned by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif. The government's objective is to ensure essential services are readily available to the citizens.

Source: www.dawn.com