The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government is considering outsourcing solid waste management to the private sector as the region struggles to handle around 1,300 tonnes of waste generated every day.
Under the proposed model, waste collection and disposal could be outsourced at an estimated rate of Rs. 17,500 per tonne. The system would cover collection, transportation, recycling, and the conversion of organic waste into compost and other useful products.
Secretary Local Government and Rural Development (LG&RD) AJK Irshad Qurashi said the initiative is being examined as part of efforts to make AJK cleaner and more environmentally sustainable.
The government is also considering district-level waste management targets and greater private-sector participation.
However, officials say the lack of reliable data remains a major challenge. AJK does not have comprehensive figures on the number of households, commercial establishments, or the volume of waste generated in different areas, making planning and resource allocation difficult.
The proposed system would focus on collecting waste at the source instead of transporting mixed waste to distant transfer points.
Qurashi said organic waste could be converted into compost for use as fertilizer, while recyclable materials such as glass and construction waste would need to be handled separately. Mixing these materials with organic waste could affect the recycling process.
Authorities have also identified shortages in sanitation manpower. Around 546 sanitation workers are currently serving across AJK, including 122 in the capital city of AJK, despite a rapidly growing population and expanding urban areas.
The AJK government is also studying waste management models being used in other parts of the country, particularly Punjab.
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