CHANGE was in the air in AJK, and it happened on Monday with the election of Raja Mumtaz Rathore as Prime Minister.
Instead of dwelling on whether this change should have happened or not, what truly matters now is the vision laid out in Rathore’s speech. His address to the Legislative Assembly soon after his election was indeed striking, focusing on sweeping administrative reforms.
Rathore’s remarks focused on the practicalities of governance- efforts to streamline the bureaucratic machinery, enhance efficiency and tackle corruption. His decision to limit the number of government vehicles, reduce the number of secretaries and cancel unnecessary posts such as special and senior additional secretaries is a clear message of cost-cutting and prioritization. The commitment to downsizing the administrative apparatus at all levels, including the merger of the Education Department’s technical wing, reflects a move toward a more lean and responsive government. Moreover, Rathore’s plan to implement the Third-Party Act in its true spirit and reactivate the Public Service Commission (PSC) demonstrates a clear intent to address long-standing issues of political patronage and nepotism in government appointments. His reforms also extend to improving conditions for low-paid staff. Regularizing Grade-1 employees and offering them additional benefits, such as salary increments and better allowances for police personnel, highlights his focus on ensuring fair treatment for those at the grassroots level. Indeed welfare of the employees has always been the hallmark of the PPP and Rathore’s speech was just reflection of it. Additionally, the focus on public engagement through open courts, installation of complaint boxes as well as judicial reforms and efforts to strengthen local governance are steps in the right direction creating a government that is not only responsive but also responsible. Though Rathore has little time at hand as the elections in the AJK are due next year, yet we believe that he can set the direction. If implemented with sincerity, these reforms have the potential to reshape AJK’s political culture, creating a transparent government that prioritizes the needs of its people while reducing the inefficiencies of the past. The true test, however, will lie in the fulfillment of these promises.
