MUZAFFARABAD:Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Minister for Housing and Physical Planning Sardar Mir Akbar Khan has directed the relevant departments to accelerate work on all ongoing development projects in Kotli district without compromising on construction quality. He instructed officials to take effective measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water, prevent pipeline leakages, improve the recovery of outstanding water bills, and complete pending projects within their stipulated timelines.
He made these remarks while chairing a review meeting on the development projects and performance of the Public Works Department (Buildings) and the Public Health Engineering Department.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Industries, Commerce, Sports, Mineral Resources and Tourism Chaudhry Abdul Rehman; Minister for Revenue, Board of Revenue and Rehabilitation Raja Muhammad Riasat Khan; Member of the Legislative Assembly Raja Ayaz Nisar; and former Assembly candidate from the Kotli City constituency Raja Fateh Mahmood Kiyani.
The participants reviewed the progress of ongoing development projects across Kotli district, construction standards, drinking water supply, sports facilities, educational and healthcare infrastructure, and measures required to ensure the timely completion of projects.
Executive Engineer Buildings Rizwan Shabbir Mirza briefed the meeting on ongoing projects being implemented by the Buildings Department, while Executive Engineer Public Health Farhan Karim presented details of water supply schemes in the district, including their estimated costs and expenditures incurred to date.
Four Water Supply Schemes Worth Over Rs1.48 Billion
During the meeting, Executive Engineer Public Health Farhan Karim informed participants that four water supply projects were underway in Kotli district, with a combined estimated cost of Rs1.4827 billion. Expenditure on these projects had reached Rs798.2 million.
Sardar Mir Akbar Khan sought a comprehensive report on the progress of the water supply project in Kotli city, including outstanding work, implementation challenges and the steps required for its completion. He directed the relevant authorities to review all aspects of the project and ensure its early completion.
He stressed that the water shortage in Kotli must be resolved on a permanent basis and that authorities should focus on fundamental improvements rather than temporary solutions.
The minister instructed the Public Health Engineering Department to improve the water distribution system, identify and promptly repair leaking pipelines, and ensure that residents receive a continuous supply of clean drinking water. He also directed officials to move beyond office-based administration and conduct regular field visits to assess problems firsthand and take practical measures to address them.
Action Ordered to Improve Recovery of Water Bills
The meeting also examined the significant gap between the expenditure incurred on water supply in Kotli city and the revenue generated from the service.
According to the figures discussed, approximately Rs150 million is spent annually on water supply, while revenue from the service stands at around Rs 25 million.
Sardar Mir Akbar Khan directed the concerned authorities to investigate the reasons behind this gap and develop a comprehensive strategy to improve the recovery of outstanding dues.
He instructed officials to take action, in accordance with applicable rules, against consumers who fail to pay their water bills. Where necessary, water connections may be disconnected to improve revenue collection and strengthen the financial position of the department.
The meeting also considered a proposal to install a separate tube well for the Kotli Development Authority (KDA).
In addition, officials were directed to prepare a formal scheme to address water supply problems in Khoi Ratta and submit it to the minister for consideration.
Minister Chaudhry Abdul Rehman also discussed water shortages, pipeline leakages, wastage, and other civic issues in Kotli city. He urged the relevant officials to take immediate and sustainable measures to improve the situation.
He said access to clean drinking water was a fundamental public need and called for the repair of damaged pipelines and improvements to the distribution system. He stressed that lasting reforms, rather than temporary fixes, were necessary to prevent residents from repeatedly facing the same difficulties.
Documentary Reporting and Effective Monitoring Made Mandatory
Sardar Mir Akbar Khan said all ongoing development projects must be completed within their stipulated timelines and instructed departmental officials to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, commitment, and professionalism.
He observed that political leadership determines policy and direction, while the practical implementation of projects rests with the relevant departments and their officers.
The minister directed officials to submit verified written reports on project progress instead of relying solely on verbal explanations. Each report should clearly document the challenges facing a project, the reasons for delays, and the measures being taken to resolve outstanding issues.
He also emphasized the importance of assessing contractors’ financial capacity and ability to execute the assigned work. These factors, he said, should be considered to ensure continuity in construction activities and achieve the required results within the prescribed timeframes.
The concerned Superintendent engineer was instructed to conduct field visits and personally monitor the pace and quality of ongoing projects.
The minister emphasized that regular field inspections and effective monitoring would help identify implementation problems promptly and facilitate their resolution.
Land Issues for Sports Grounds to Be Resolved
The meeting also reviewed sports development projects and the availability of mini playgrounds at educational institutions.
Sardar Mir Akbar Khan directed the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to resolve land availability and ownership issues affecting sports projects. He stressed that the required land must be secured before construction begins to prevent future obstacles.
Where schools lack sufficient space for mini playgrounds, he instructed officials to identify alternative educational institutions with suitable land.
He further directed that disputes relating to land or other project matters should be resolved by taking all relevant parties and stakeholders into confidence.
The minister also instructed the concerned ministers and legislators to be kept regularly informed about project progress and to be taken to project sites to inspect the work firsthand.
Minister for Revenue Raja Muhammad Riasat Khan called for the accelerated completion of ongoing projects being implemented by the Higher Education and Sports Departments in the Charhoi constituency.
He directed the relevant authorities to expedite work so that the projects could be ready for inauguration by June. He emphasized the need to address the causes of delays, improve coordination between departments and establish effective monitoring arrangements to ensure timely completion and allow residents to benefit from the facilities as soon as possible.
Khoi Ratta Hospital Project to Be Included in Next Annual Development Programme
The proposed construction of the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Khoi Ratta was also discussed during the meeting.
Sardar Mir Akbar Khan directed the relevant authorities to initiate the necessary process for including the hospital building project in the next Annual Development Programme (ADP).
He said that, rather than repeatedly spending public funds on repairs to dilapidated government buildings, authorities should plan for new construction wherever the condition of an existing structure warrants it. This, he said, would help provide safer and better facilities to the public.
Member of the Legislative Assembly Raja Ayaz Nisar highlighted public concerns relating to education, sports and public health services in Khoi Ratta. He stressed the need for their prompt resolution and called for greater attention to the requirements of educational institutions, sports facilities and water supply schemes.
He also presented proposals for addressing local issues and urged the relevant departments to prioritize practical measures that would provide relief to residents.
Former Assembly candidate from the Kotli City constituency Raja Fateh Mahmood Kiyani highlighted the challenges and obstacles facing the 200-bed expansion project at the District Headquarters Hospital in Kotli and offered suggestions for resolving them.
He said improving healthcare, educational and sports infrastructure across the district was an important priority. He called for effective implementation of development projects to provide quality medical services, meet the needs of educational institutions and ensure adequate sports facilities for young people.
The minister agreed with the proposals and emphasized the need for progress on the matters discussed.
Chaudhry Abdul Rehman Calls for Sustainable Solutions to Civic Problems
Minister for Industries, Commerce, Sports, Mineral Resources and Tourism Chaudhry Abdul Rehman held detailed discussions on water supply, pipeline leakages, encroachments, and other civic problems of Kotli city.
He urged the relevant officials to play an active and effective role in resolving public grievances. He emphasized the need to prevent water wastage, repair damaged pipelines, and improve the overall supply system.
He also sought explanations from officials regarding the causes of water shortages and leakages at various locations, directing them to introduce sustainable improvements rather than relying on temporary arrangements.
Chaudhry Abdul Rehman said there was no room for negligence in addressing public concerns. He stressed that departments must identify problems, prioritize their resolution and ensure proper monitoring of the measures taken.
He also underlined the importance of keeping elected representatives informed about development projects and continuously monitoring both the pace and quality of construction work.
Officials Directed to Maintain Coordination and Accountability
The meeting concluded with an agreement that the relevant departments would take effective measures to accelerate ongoing development projects, maintain construction standards, improve the supply of clean drinking water and strengthen healthcare, education and sports infrastructure across Kotli district.
Participants also agreed to make project monitoring and progress reviews more effective to ensure that implementation challenges were addressed and development schemes were completed within their prescribed timelines.
The meeting was attended by SE Public Health Engineering Mirpur Circle Ishtiaq Mughal; SE Buildings Mirpur Circle Yasir Bashir; Executive Engineer Buildings Mirpur Division Saqib Hussain; Executive Engineer Buildings Kotli Division Mirza Rizwan Shabbir; Executive Engineer Public Health Kotli Farhan Karim; Executive Engineer Public Health Engineering Mirpur Division Yasin Tahir; Executive Engineer Public Health Engineering Bhimber Division Muhammad Mazhar; SE Ajmal Mustafa; Information Officer Shaukat Ali Malik; SDO Buildings Headquarters Kotli Tauseef Ameer; and SDO Public Health Engineering Kotli Shehzad Iqbal, along with other relevant departmental officials.
PML-N Kotli City President Raja Gulfraz Khan, party leader Arif Naz, and Public Relations Officer Malik Abdul Qayyum also attended the meeting.