MUZAFFARABAD:Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq on Monday announced the hiring of doctors on a contract basis with a monthly salary of Rs 500,000 to ensure the availability of medical professionals in remote areas of Neelum Valley.

Expressing strong displeasure over doctors drawing salaries from Neelum hospitals while serving elsewhere, he directed the health department to ensure their presence at their original postings.

“Those receiving salaries from Neelum hospitals must work here,” he stated during a visit to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Athmuqam, the administrative centre of Neelum district.

The prime minister instructed health officials to immediately dismiss absentee doctors and those neglecting their duties, while simultaneously hiring doctors on a contractual basis to fill vacant positions.

Accompanied by law minister Mian Abdul Waheed and local government and rural development minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, he ordered an increase in the DHQ Hospital’s fuel budget from Rs690,000 to Rs1 million and assured the provision of an ambulance.

Additionally, he directed a feasibility study for establishing a smart ICU at the hospital and called for an inquiry into complaints regarding the supply of medicines.

The prime minister also received a detailed briefing from Neelum Valley’s District Health Officer on the availability of specialist doctors, nursing staff, and paramedics at the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital in Kel, a remote upper belt area.

He approved a hardship allowance for doctors serving in Kel and ordered the appointment of local doctors on a contractual basis. Furthermore, he directed the provision of a 4x4 ambulance for the THQ Hospital and assured funding for land acquisition.

During his visit, he administered polio drops to children, underscoring his government’s commitment to public health.

PM Haq said his visit was aimed at understanding and addressing the concerns of Neelum residents, particularly those affected by harsh weather conditions.

Later, Prime Minister Haq inspected the under-construction Jagran Hydropower Project Phase-II, where he reviewed completed and pending work and received a briefing from officials of AJK’s Power Development Organization (PDO).

Viewing the project as a major step toward AJK’s prosperity, he directed PDO officials, joint venture (JV) contractors, and stakeholders to enhance coordination and expedite its completion before June 2025. He also assured priority security and facilities for foreign engineers working on the project.

Speaking at a reception organized by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers in Athmuqam, Mr Haq challenged Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, stating: “Just as I have visited the Line of Control (LoC), let Narendra Modi or any of his ministers visit occupied Kashmir without their million-strong army.”

He asserted that occupied Kashmir and AJK could not be compared, as the freedoms enjoyed in AJK were unimaginable under Indian occupation.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2025