Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq has said that along with institutional reforms improvement in infrastructure was key to a sustainable development in the region

Muzaffarabad (PID AJK)24 June 2025: Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq has said that along with institutional reforms improvement in infrastructure was key to a sustainable development in the region. “The present system is destined to collapse, if necessary, reforms are not introduced”, the PM said this while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected members of the Azad Kashmir College Teachers Association, held here today.Referring to flaws in the education system, the PM was of the view that the quality of education was contrary to today’s standards. stressing the need for improving the quality of education in AJK, the PM regrettably noted that many graduates lack essential soft skills despite holding degrees.He said that the AJK was in dire need of structural reforms to address its challenges and achieve sustainable growth.The PM said that work on the education package was underway. “Rather than building new schools, colleges or universities, the government’s priority is to improve the existing educational institutions”, he added.

He said that 3 billion rupees have been earmarked in the budget for improving infrastructure, whereas six billion rupees have been allocated for the health sector. The accountability system in the state, he mentioned, has been strengthened.”Hydroelectric projects that were lying idle for the past several years were reactivated and made operational, a huge amount of money has been spent on road infrastructure”, the PM said.The PM noted that health card facilities were being offered to citizens to provide them subsidized health services.Appreciating teachers’ significant role in society, the PM said, ” Teachers are recognized as the backbone of any society”.Describing the teaching profession as highly sacred, the PM emphasized that the teachers will have to work responsibly to bring real change in society.”Education, health and protection of the lives and property of citizens are the basic responsibility of the state”, he remarked.About rights and privileges enjoyed by the people of Azad Kashmir, he said that people living in other areas of the country cannot even imagine such privileges. The PM said that the people should avoid ungratefulness and instead cultivate a sense of gratitude amongst them. He said that the government has presented a balanced and a deficit free budget this year.”The present government has the honour to generate resources on its own and spend them on the people”, the PM stated. Earlier, the Prime Minister administered the oath to the newly elected members of the Azad Kashmir College Teachers Association. Minister for Higher Education Zafar Iqbal Malik, Minister for Information Pir Muhammad Mazhar Saeed Shah, Minister for Sports, Youth and Culture Asim Sharif Butt, Secretary Higher Education Chaudhry Muhammad Tayyab, Director General Higher Education Khawaja Abdul Rehman, President ACTA Professor Tariq Saleem Shah, Vice President ACTA Chaudhry Abdul Rahim, Principal Postgraduate College Rawalakot Professor Dr. Yasir Arafat, Principal Postgraduate College Muzaffarabad Dr. Nazar, Senior Vice President ACTA Dr. Zafar Iqbal and General Secretary ACTA Chaudhry Abdul Rahim and others were present on the occasion.