Rajouri, J&K: Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that residents of the Pir Panjal region should not be forced to travel between the two capitals for routine administrative work, calling the current arrangement a source of unnecessary hardship for the public.
Addressing the issue, Mufti advocated granting Division-level status to the Pir Panjal region and the appointment of a Divisional Commissioner. She said such a step would decentralise administration, make governance more accessible, and significantly improve the delivery of public services in the region.
Highlighting the geographical and logistical challenges faced by people in areas such as Rajouri and Poonch, Mufti noted that long and difficult travel for basic administrative matters disproportionately affects ordinary citizens. She argued that administrative restructuring is essential to ensure responsive and people-centric governance.
The PDP chief said that recognising Pir Panjal as a separate division would not only reduce public inconvenience but also strengthen institutional efficiency and development planning tailored to the region’s specific needs.
