If you’ve been following the political drama unfolding in Azad Jammu and Kashmir lately, you already know things have gotten pretty heated. Just days before exiting power, the outgoing PPP government made a move that’s got almost every opposition party crying foul — and honestly, the timing couldn’t have looked worse.
What Actually Happened
Here’s the deal: days before its exit from power, the incumbent PPP government appointed seven members to Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Public Service Commission, the top recruitment body of AJK, a move that has raised questions about its propriety and timing. The notification wasn’t some backroom deal, at least on paper — the appointments were made under Article 48(2) of the AJK Interim Constitution, 1974, read alongside Section 4(3) of the AJK Public Service Commission Act, 1986.
So legally, the government had the authority to do this. But that’s exactly where the controversy kicks in. These appointments come as the PPP government continues in office after the expiry of the AJK Legislative Assembly’s constitutional five-year term, pending completion of the election process, and the party has already lost its majority in the elections held so far, with PML-N emerging as the largest party and poised to form the next government.
In other words, a government that’s essentially on its way out just locked in seven people into powerful three-year posts. You can see why that’s raising eyebrows.
Why the Opposition Is Furious
Naturally, both PML-N and PTI jumped on this immediately. PML-N leader Shahid Mehmood Wani, who also sat on the party’s election manifesto committee, took strong exception to what he called the questionable propriety and timing of the appointments.
PTI wasn’t far behind either. Senior PTI leader Khawaja Farooq criticised the appointments, saying that making such decisions during the election process was “not morally good,” arguing they should have been left to the incoming government that receives a fresh mandate from the people of AJK. His point was pretty straightforward — he argued that appointments to important public institutions should be made by the government formed after elections, so the new administration isn’t stuck inheriting decisions made during a transition period.
It’s a fair argument if you think about it. Imagine winning an election, only to find out the previous team already filled up the most important recruitment body with their own picks for the next three years.
A Commission With a History of Controversy
This isn’t the first time the AJK Public Service Commission has found itself in hot water. The body has long faced criticism over delays in its own formation, along with allegations that members are appointed based on the preferences of whichever government happens to be in power, rather than through a transparent process. Back in May 2023, when the previous chairman’s term along with other members expired, the commission was left incomplete for the next eight months. DawnDawn
So this pattern of politically-timed appointments isn’t exactly new — it’s just the latest chapter.
Quick Snapshot of the Situation
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Affected | AJK Public Service Commission (AJKPSC) |
| Number Appointed | Seven members |
| Term Length | Three years |
| Legal Basis | Article 48(2) of AJK Interim Constitution, Section 4(3) of PSC Act 1986 |
| Party in Power | PPP (outgoing) |
| Party Leading Elections | PML-N |
Opposition Reaction at a Glance
| Party | Key Concern |
|---|---|
| PML-N | Questioned propriety and timing of long-term appointments after assembly term ended |
| PTI | Called the move “not morally good,” said appointments should wait for new government |
What This Means Going Forward
With polling still ongoing in parts of AJK and phases of the 2026 elections continuing amid law-and-order concerns, this PSC controversy is likely to become another talking point once the new government takes charge. Whether PML-N, once in power, tries to reverse or challenge these appointments remains to be seen — but given the region’s history with the commission, this probably won’t be the last we hear of it. The Express Tribune
