Surankote : A safer place for District Headquarters and GMC.
Proposal to shift Poonch’s District HQ and GMC to Surankote aims to enhance public safety, improve accessibility, and ensure uninterrupted services away from the conflict-prone Line of Control.
Ayaz Mughal
By Ayaz Mughal
The recent intense shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC) has once again laid bare how perilously close Poonch town lies to active cross-border hostilities. At least 12 civilians, including four children, lost their lives when mortar shells struck residential areas in Poonch, and scores more were injured in what became one of the deadliest ceasefire violations in recent memory. Families have been forced to flee their homes, and while some have begun returning, authorities warn that unexploded ordnance still poses grave risks. Even the Mini Secretariat built in Poonch at a cost of crores remains non-operational due to these very security concerns
Amid falling shells, Poonch’s doctors and nurses have shown extraordinary bravery, treating the wounded around the clock in makeshift wards. Their heroic efforts underscore the pressing need for more secure medical infrastructure in the region. Even as patients trickle back to the hospital, the looming threat of renewed shelling means every life saved comes at a great personal risk to healthcare workers. A lasting solution must account not only for peace negotiations, but also for the physical relocation of critical services to ensure they remain operational when they are needed most.
In light of these grim realities, I have proposed shifting the District Headquarters and the planned Government Medical College (GMC) from Poonch to Surankote. This proposal is driven by one unassailable goal: to safeguard lives by placing core institutions beyond the direct line of fire. By moving administrative offices and medical training facilities to a safer location, officials hope to prevent future disruptions and guarantee uninterrupted access to essential services.
Why Surankote?
Surankote is situated approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Poonch, placing it at a safer remove from the immediate Line of Control. It occupies a central position within the district, offering near-equal travel distances to Mendhar, Poonch, and Mandi, crucial for equitable access to government services. It’s directly connected to both the Jammu-Poonch Highway and the historic Mughal Road, which makes it more suitable location.
With sturdy civic infrastructure already developing around the town, Surankote stands ready to host both the district administration and a full-scale medical college.
This proposal transcends party lines and personal gain; it is solely about protecting the people and ensuring that no child or family has to live in fear of shelling again. Local representatives, civil society groups, and concerned citizens must set politics aside and back this initiative. Relocating the District HQ and GMC to Surankote is an investment in our collective safety and future prosperity. Let us seize this moment to build a more resilient district, one where governance and healthcare can never again be held hostage by the guns across the border.
