AJK cabinet approves Rs. 3.22 billion for upgraded, new schools & teachers induction

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) cabinet on Thursday approved a long awaited Educational Package worth Rs. 3.22 billion additional budget for schools and higher Education institutions

MUZAFFARABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Apr, 2026) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) cabinet on Thursday approved a long awaited Educational Package worth Rs. 3.22 billion additional budget for schools and higher Education institutions.

After the meeting of the cabinet, Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed Advocate, Ministers schools Dewan Ali Khan Chughtai and minister colleges Malik Zafar announced the approval during a joint press conference, terming it a historic step toward improving access, quality, and governance in both school and higher education sectors.

Mian Abdul Waheed expressed gratitude to the Higher Education Department and its team for their dedicated efforts, and appreciated the Prime Minister’s leadership and vision, under which the initiative was finalized.

He said the package strictly follows a needs-based rationalization policy, addressing disparities in student-teacher ratios and institutional distribution across the region.

The reform package allocates Rs 2.45 billion for school education and Rs 766.5 million for higher education development.

Minister for Schools Education Dewan Ali Khan Chughtai said the initiative reflects coordinated efforts of the education department and technical teams. He said 868 educational institutions have been upgraded across Azad Kashmir under the package.

He added that 182 new schools will be established with 259 posts, while 653 existing schools will be upgraded with 2,692 new positions. In addition, 200 schools will receive 368 additional posts. The total cost of new post creation has been estimated at Rs 2,978.99 million. Subject specialist posts will also be introduced in all middle and high schools to enhance academic standards.

Minister for Higher Education Malik Zafar said that for the first time, a unified higher education policy has been implemented in Azad Kashmir under the Prime Minister’s directives. He said Rs 766.4 million has been approved for 10 districts across three divisions.

In Muzaffarabad Division, nine new colleges will be established with Rs 187.5 million and 162 posts. Six institutions will be upgraded with Rs 42.4 million and 43 posts, while 30 additional posts will be created in existing institutions with Rs 27.8 million.

In Poonch Division, seven new colleges will be established with Rs 145.8 million and 126 posts. Fourteen institutions will be upgraded with Rs 106.5 million and 104 posts, while 30 additional posts will be created with Rs 24 million.

In Mirpur Division, four new colleges will be established with Rs 77.9 million and 68 posts. Eleven institutions will be upgraded with Rs 76.5 million with 81 posts, while 77 additional posts will be created with Rs 66.7 million.

The minister further said that the government has also provided substantial financial assistance to the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to address its financial challenges. He noted that for the first time, nearly Rs 1.5 billion has been allocated to the university, ensuring institutional stability and academic continuity.

Officials termed the package a transformative milestone for education sector reform in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at long-term improvement in infrastructure, access, and quality of education.