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MUZAFFARABAD: Days before its exit from power, the incumbent Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government has appointed seven members to Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) Public Service Commission (PSC), the top recruitment body of AJK, a move that has raised questions about its propriety and timing.
According to a notification issued by the Services and General Administration Department, the appointments were made by the government in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 48(2) of the AJK Interim Constitution, 1974, read with Section 4(3) of the AJK Public Service Commission Act, 1986.
Those appointed include former secretaries Munir Hussain Chaudhary, Dr Chaudhry Liaqat Hussain and Mohammad Zahid Abbasi from the quota of retired government servants in BS-20 and above; former professor Dr Abdul Qadoos Khan and former vice chancellor Dr Abdul Hameed from the quota of educationists; former additional chief secretary Midhat Shehzad from the quota of women; and retired medical specialist Dr Mohammad Saleem Khan from the quota of professionals.
Under the Public Service Commission Act, seven members are to be appointed from among retired civil servants or other outstanding persons with a good reputation and an educational qualification of at least graduation from a recognised university. Three members are to be appointed from among educationists or scholars having a good reputation and at least 10 years’ experience in teaching, administration or both.
