Quetta: The 27th session of the Cabinet of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, led by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq, convened to ratify past decisions and approve new measures aimed at legislative reform and social welfare.

According to Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the session was attended by high-ranking officials and cabinet ministers, including Most Senior Minister Colonel (Retd) Waqar Ahmed Noor and others. Key approvals included a registration fee for divorce and a waiver for up to 200 units of electricity bills in mosques across Azad Kashmir, reflecting the government’s focus on addressing both social and religious community needs.

The Cabinet endorsed several significant legislative adjustments and departmental rightsizing efforts. Notably, it approved amendments to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law and initiated rightsizing of the Auqaf and Electricity Departments. A committee led by Minister Sardar Aamir Altaf Khan was formed to oversee the rightsizing of the Auqaf Department and is expected to report back within seven days.

Furthermore, the Cabinet decided to introduce the Azad Kashmir Building Control Act 2024 to the Assembly for approval, signifying a step towards better governance and regulatory control over construction and urban development.

Additionally, a comprehensive transfer policy for the Education Department is set to be formulated, with recommendations due within the next seven days, aiming to enhance educational administration and staffing.

The session also saw the establishment of a committee headed by Minister Mian Abdul Waheed to investigate illegal land allotments in Langerpura and Thotha Satellite Towns, highlighting the government’s commitment to rectifying administrative irregularities and ensuring lawful land distribution.

This Cabinet meeting underscores a broad agenda by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government to reform legal frameworks, improve public services, and ensure social welfare measures align with the needs of its communities.