With Azad Jammu and Kashmir's (AJK) outgoing Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government days from leaving power, seven new members have been appointed to the region's Public Service Commission (PSC)—a move that has triggered sharp criticism over its timing and propriety. The appointments, formalized through a notification from the Services and General Administration Department, come as the PPP continues as a transitional arrangement after losing its majority in recent elections. Main Developments The appointments were made under Article 48(2) of the AJK Interim Constitution, 1974, read with Section 4(3) of the AJK Public Service Commission Act, 1986. The seven new members include former secretaries Munir Hussain Chaudhary, Dr Chaudhry Liaqat Hussain, and Mohammad Zahid Abbasi, all from the quota for retired government servants in BS-20 and above. From the educationists' quota, former professor Dr Abdul Qadoos Khan and former vice chancellor Dr Abdul Hameed were appointed, while Midhat Shehzad, a former additional chief secretary, fills the women's quota. Retired medical specialist Dr Mohammad Saleem Khan joins from the professionals' quota. Read also: World Bank Flood Housing Project in Balochistan Quietly Downsized Each new member will serve a three-year term, with pay and allowances as prescribed, and their appointments take effect from the date they take oath under Section 4-A of the 1986 Act. The legal framework mandates that seven members be drawn from retired civil servants or other outstanding individuals with at least a graduation degree, while three must be educationists with a good reputation and 10 years of teaching or administrative experience. Background The AJK Public Service Commission has historically faced criticism over delays in its constitution and allegations that members are chosen based on the preferences of the government of the day rather than through a transparent process. In May 2023, when the three-year terms of chairman retired Air Marshal Masood Akhtar and other members expired, the body remained incomplete for eight months. The current PPP government continues in office after the expiry of the AJK Legislative Assembly's five-year constitutional term, pending completion of the election process. The PPP has lost its majority in the elections held so far, with the PML-N emerging as the largest party and poised to form the next government. Why It Matters Shahid Mehmood Wani, a senior PML-N leader and member of the party's election manifesto committee, strongly objected to the move, stating that while he does not question the competence or credentials of the appointees, the propriety of making such appointments at this stage is open to question. He argued that a government continuing as a transitional arrangement after losing the people's mandate should leave decisions of such long-term institutional consequence to the incoming elected government. The appointments could shape the PSC's composition for years, potentially influencing recruitment processes and institutional credibility. Critics say the timing undermines public trust in the commission's independence, especially given its past struggles with incomplete composition and perceived political interference. What's Next The new members are expected to take their oaths in the coming days, formally activating their three-year terms. With the PML-N poised to form the next government, questions remain about whether the incoming administration will review or challenge these appointments, though no formal legal action has been announced. The PSC's full composition will now be tested in upcoming recruitment drives, with observers watching for any signs of friction between the outgoing and incoming governments over institutional appointments.