Rawalkot, In a historic move, the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Chaudhary, has appointed Lt. Gen. (Retd) Hidayat-ur-Rehman as the chairman of the Public Service Commission of Azad Kashmir. This marks the first time in the 76-year history of the divided state of Jammu and Kashmir that a chairman has been appointed from the second largest region, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

According to President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Hidayat-ur-Rehman is the first three-star general from GB. He began his career with the AK Regiment of the Azad Kashmir Regiment of the Pakistan Army. Alongside his appointment, other significant designations were announced, including the appointment of ex-secretary Ibrahim Aziz from the Thorar area of Poonch, ex-secretary Ejaz Lone, ex-secretary of the Liberation Cell, and ex-sessions judge Bashir Saeed Butt as members of the Kashmir Public Service Commission.

The appointment of Hidayat-ur-Rehman is a significant milestone for the representation of Gilgit-Baltistan within the governance structures of AJK. Previously, the President of Gilgit State had visited in an official capacity, but now Hidayat-ur-Rehman stands as the first individual from Gilgit to hold such an important position in the independent government.

This decision has been met with increasing popularity among the public, signifying a positive step towards greater inclusivity and representation in the AJK government. The move is seen as a reflection of the government’s commitment to acknowledging the diverse regions within the state and ensuring their representation in key government positions.