AJK chairs budget meeting, calls for people-friendly financial plan

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore Friday chaired a high-level budget meeting to review preparations for the next financial year and directed officials to prepare a balanced, people-friendly budget focused on public welfare and basic facilities.

Finance Minister Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, ministers Sardar Javed Ayub, Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, Diwan Ali Khan Chughtai and Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar attended the meeting. Chief Secretary Khushal Khan was also present.

The meeting reviewed development and non-development expenditures in detail and discussed proposals related to public welfare projects, basic amenities, employment, education, health and infrastructure.

Finance Minister Chaudhry Qasim Majeed briefed the meeting on budget preparations, available financial resources and fiscal priorities.

Prime Minister Rathore directed officials to ensure financial discipline, transparency and effective use of resources while preparing the budget. He said public needs should be given top priority and maximum possible relief should be provided to people across the state despite limited resources.

The meeting agreed to continue practical measures for improving social sectors and to include actionable proposals for the timely completion of development projects.

Participants also agreed on a comprehensive strategy for sustainable development and economic stability, with the budget to be aligned with public expectations.

Separately, the prime minister disposed of several pending administrative matters. Officials said nearly 200 files were signed and important cases were decided, while appeals of 150 employees pending since 2022 were also approved.

The government said the decisions reflected accelerated performance in resolving cases of public interest and improving governance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.