Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar today instructed the acceleration of development projects in AJK and GB through close institutional coordination for provision of tangible socio-economic relief to local people. The deputy premier urged the federal and regional authorities to focus on efficiency in administration in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan in Islamabad on Thursday, November 12, 2026, while chairing a high-level review meeting of the province.
Governance Reforms for Development Projects in AJK and GB
Sharing some historical facts about the territories and the sacrifices of its people in both, Ishaq Dar appealed to the newly formed AJK and GB governments to undertake new and result-oriented initiatives. The high level session focused on the following areas and specific measures to overcome governance bottlenecks were discussed:
Institutional Alignment: Making federal-regional coordination more effective and eliminating unnecessary delays in project implementation.
Legislative & Financial Resolution: Addressing constitutional, administrative and budgetary matters on the issue of regional autonomy and funding.
Service Modernization: Enhancing grass roots administrative systems to make the delivery of public services more open, timely and efficient.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 chaired a meeting today to review matters pertaining to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) with the Government of Pakistan. The meeting focused on administrative and governance issues across both regions. Participants examined institutional mechanisms to streamline federal-regional co-ordination, address pending legislative and financial matters and accelerate socio-economic development projects including roads, infrastructure, healthcare and regional connectivity. Highlighting the historical significance of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan and the enduring sacrifices of their people, the DPM/FM emphasised that the newly formed AJK & GB governments should take fresh, result-oriented initiatives to effectively resolve governance challenges and improve public service delivery. He directed all concerned to ensure close co-ordination with the respective governments to expedite ongoing development projects and deliver tangible socio-economic relief to the people. The meeting was attended by Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON; SAPM Tariq Bajwa; Secretary Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON; and senior officials from the concerned ministries.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) November 12, 2026
Priority Infrastructure Sectors Under Development Projects in AJK and GB
One of the key issues in the Islamabad summit was the need to accelerate the pace of development of physical infrastructure directly contributing to improvement of living standards in mountainous and remote areas. The officials visited the in-service timelines of constructing all-weather roads, developing connectivity corridors in the region, and improving public healthcare infrastructure. The Federal Government’s objective is to ensure sustainable economic growth and stability in the two regions and to overcome the financial obstacles and establish an effective monitoring system of development projects in AJK and GB.
