MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Tuesday said the federal government would provide Rs10 billion for the upgradation of the region’s electricity transmission system, assuring that work would begin as soon as the funds were released.
Speaking during a session of the AJK Legislative Assembly, presided over by Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, the prime minister said electricity demand in the state had surged from 350 megawatts to over 600 megawatts following the availability of cheaper power, resulting in damage to ageing transmission lines. He said the issue of electricity supply in Rawalakot would be resolved by Dec 22.
Responding to call-attention notices, Mr Rathore urged the public to act responsibly and value the facility of affordable electricity provided by Pakistan, adding that blocking roads for every issue was not a solution.
Earlier, opposition legislator Sardar Hassan Ibrahim of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Party highlighted what he termed an acute electricity shortage in Rawalakot and elsewhere in Poonch, saying residents were facing eight to 10 hours of unannounced load-shedding daily, badly affecting education, business and healthcare services. He called for an immediate and permanent solution to the problem.
Responding to the notice, Minister for Communications and Works Sardar Ziaul Qamar said round-the-clock work was underway to restore a power tower damaged by heavy rains in Bagh.
He said the tower would be made operational by Dec 25, which would resolve electricity supply issues in Bagh and adjoining areas.
Leader of the Opposition Shah Ghulam Qadir later drew the House’s attention to the mysterious “disappearance” of the old building of Government Boys Middle School Shahkot in Athmuqam tehsil of Neelum district after the school was shifted to a newly constructed building. He sought an investigation into the alleged disappearance of timber, roofing material and furniture worth millions of rupees from the site.
Through another call-attention notice, PML-N legislator Sardar Amir Altaf alleged that internet and call services were severely disrupted across AJK, particularly in Poonch division. As a result, students, educational institutions, traders, government offices and the general public were facing serious hardships, he added.
He urged the authorities to take immediate notice and adopt effective emergency measures to improve, stabilise and standardise internet services in Poonch division.
Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2025
