In a significant move towards reinvigorating the long-dormant Public Service Commission (PSC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the government has taken decisive steps by appointing a new chairman and three members.
As per an official notification dated January 13, the appointments have been made for a three-year term under Article 48 (2) of the AJK Constitution 1974, in conjunction with Section 3 of the Azad Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission (AJKPSC) Act, 1986. The announcement officially came to light yesterday, marking a crucial development for the region.
The newly appointed officials include Retired Lt-Gen Hidayatur Rehman, who will serve as the chairman, along with Aijaz Hussain Lone, Hafiz Muhammad Ibrahim Aziz, and Khawaja Saeed Bashir Butt as members of the Public Service Commission.
Retired Lt-Gen Hidayatur Rehman, a seasoned professional who previously held prominent roles such as corps commander in Peshawar and inspector general training and evaluation in GHQ, has been entrusted with leading the commission. His extensive experience in various critical positions, culminating in his retirement on October 1, 2018, adds a wealth of expertise to the role.
It is noteworthy that Retired Lt-Gen Hidayatur Rehman follows in the footsteps of his predecessors, Air Marshal retired Masood Akhtar and Lt-Gen retired Mohsin Kamal, who also served as chairmen from May 2020 to May 2023 and December 2016 to December 2020, respectively.
The three-year term of the former chairman and members concluded in May of the previous year, prompting the need for a prompt reconstitution of the Public Service Commission. However, the process had faced delays under the incumbent coalition government, leading to mounting appeals from educated youths seeking employment and opposition parties for a swift resolution.
With this recent development, the AJK government aims to address the concerns surrounding the PSC’s inactivity and forge a path towards efficient public service recruitment, aligning with constitutional provisions and legal frameworks. The appointment of seasoned individuals is expected to bring renewed vigor to the commission, contributing to the overall improvement of public service in the region.
