Chief Secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
The Chief Secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is the highest-ranking civil servant in the region. Appointed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, they oversee the implementation of government policies, ensuring the smooth operation of all government departments. Acting as the administrative head, they coordinate with the federal government, advise the AJK Prime Minister and cabinet, and manage crises and emergencies.
The Chief Secretary also oversees financial management, human resources, and public service delivery, while ensuring compliance with rules and regulations. Typically a senior officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), the Chief Secretary must have extensive experience in public administration. They play a crucial role in addressing AJK’s socio-political and economic challenges and ensuring equitable development across the region.
List of Chief Secretaries of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
Here’s a list of Chief Secretaries of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK):
| Mr. Abdul Haq Soharwardi | |
| Assumed Office: 29-Aug-1969 Left Office: 20-Apr-1971 Tenure: 1 year, 8 months, 22 days Notable: First Chief Secretary of AJK, initiated the administrative structure of the newly formed state. | |
| Mr. Muhammad Masih-Uz-Zaman | |
| Assumed Office: 20-Apr-1971 Left Office: 22-Jun-1972 Tenure: 1 year, 2 months, 2 days Notable: Oversaw the establishment of key governmental institutions. | |
| Syed Habib Hussain | |
| Assumed Office: 22-Jun-1972 Left Office: 07-Aug-1972 Tenure: 1 month, 16 days Notable: Shortest tenure, managed the transition period. | |
| Shaikh Manzoor Elahi | |
| Assumed Office: 07-Aug-1972 Left Office: 07-Jun-1973 Tenure: 10 months Notable: Implemented early development policies. |  |
| Mr. Ajlal Haider Zaide | |
| Assumed Office: 07-Jun-1973 Left Office: 09-Jun-1974 Tenure: 1 year, 2 days Notable: Focused on development projects in rural areas. | |
| Mr. Sarfaraz Hussain | |
| Assumed Office: 09-Jun-1974 Left Office: 01-Apr-1975 Tenure: 9 months, 23 days Notable: Advanced infrastructure initiatives. | |
| Mr. Ajlal Hussain | |
| Assumed Office: 01-Apr-1975 Left Office: 06-Nov-1976 Tenure: 1 year, 7 months, 5 days Notable: Strengthened governance and public service delivery. | |
| Mr. Hasan Zaheer | |
| Assumed Office: 06-Nov-1976 Left Office: 08-Apr-1978 Tenure: 1 year, 5 months, 2 days Notable: Led educational reforms and policy changes. |  |
| Mr. Muhammad Mansoor Kazim | |
| Assumed Office: 08-Apr-1978 Left Office: 30-Mar-1982 Tenure: 3 years, 11 months, 22 days Notable: Held the longest tenure during the early years, focusing on stability and growth. | |
| Mr. Safdar Hussain Kazmi | |
| Assumed Office: 30-Mar-1982 Left Office: 01-Apr-1986 Tenure: 4 years, 2 days Notable: Promoted significant infrastructure development. |  |
| Mr. Rahatullah Khan | |
| Assumed Office: 01-Apr-1986 Left Office: 01-Sep-1991 Tenure: 5 years, 5 months Notable: Implemented economic growth initiatives and modernization programs. |  |
| Mr. Shamsher Ali Khan | |
| Assumed Office: 01-Sep-1991 Left Office: 02-May-1993 Tenure: 1 year, 8 months, 1 day Notable: Focused on governance reforms and public accountability. | |
| Mr. Abdul Qayyum Khan | |
| Assumed Office: 02-May-1993 Left Office: 04-Aug-1993 Tenure: 3 months, 2 days Notable: Managed the administrative transition. |  |
| Mr. Ashraf Rasheed Siddiqui | |
| Assumed Office: 04-Aug-1993 Left Office: 27-Nov-1996 Tenure: 3 years, 3 months, 23 days Notable: Strengthened public administration and governance. |  |
| Mr. Sagheer Asaad Hassan | |
| Assumed Office: 27-Nov-1996 Left Office: 19-Aug-1998 Tenure: 1 year, 8 months, 23 days Notable: Improved public service delivery and infrastructure. |  |
| Ch. Muhammad Ashraf | |
| Assumed Office: 19-Aug-1998 Left Office: 04-Feb-2000 Tenure: 1 year, 5 months, 16 days Notable: Enhanced administrative efficiency and public sector management. |  |
| Mr. Muhammad Shakil Durrani | |
| Assumed Office: 04-Feb-2000 Left Office: 01-Jan-2002 Tenure: 1 year, 10 months, 28 days Notable: Focused on development planning and policy reforms. |  |
| Mr. Naeem Khan | |
| Assumed Office: 01-Jan-2002 Left Office: 12-Oct-2002 Tenure: 9 months, 11 days Notable: Managed an interim administration effectively. |  |
| Mr. Shahid Rafi | |
| Assumed Office: 12-Oct-2002 Left Office: 20-Dec-2004 Tenure: 2 years, 2 months, 8 days Notable: Implemented significant policy reforms. |  |
| Mr. Muhammad Kashif Murtaza | |
| Assumed Office: 20-Dec-2004 Left Office: 26-Mar-2007 Tenure: 2 years, 3 months, 6 days Notable: Focused on major infrastructure projects. |  |
| Mr. Javed Majid | |
| Assumed Office: 26-Mar-2007 Left Office: 19-Aug-2008 Tenure: 1 year, 4 months, 24 days Notable: Advanced governance initiatives and public sector efficiency. |  |
| Mr. Khalid Sultan | |
| Assumed Office: 19-Aug-2008 Left Office: 10-May-2010 Tenure: 1 year, 8 months, 21 days Notable: Promoted economic policies and infrastructure development. |  |
| Mr. Muhammad Shehzad Arbab | |
| Assumed Office: 10-May-2010 Left Office: 25-Feb-2013 Tenure: 2 years, 9 months, 15 days Notable: Focused on public sector reforms and governance. |  |
| Mr. Alam Din Bullo | |
| Assumed Office: 25-Feb-2013 Left Office: 19-Jul-2013 Tenure: 4 months, 24 days Notable: Served as interim leader during a transitional period. |  |
| Mr. Khizar Hayat Gondal | |
| Assumed Office: 19-Jul-2013 Left Office: 19-Oct-2014 Tenure: 1 year, 3 months Notable: Improved administrative processes and public services. |  |
| Sqn Ldr(R) Abid Ali | |
| Assumed Office: 19-Oct-2014 Left Office: 05-Jan-2016 Tenure: 1 year, 2 months, 17 days Notable: Strengthened governance and implemented key reforms. |  |
| Muhammad Jalal Sikandar Sultan | |
| Assumed Office: 05-Jan-2016 Left Office: 21-Apr-2017 Tenure: 1 year, 3 months, 16 days Notable: Focused on public service reforms and infrastructure development. |  |
| Dr. Ijaz Munir | |
| Assumed Office: 21-Apr-2017 Left Office: 18-May-2018 Tenure: 1 year, 27 days Notable: Implemented significant health sector improvements. |  |
| Dr. Mian Waheed-Ud-Din | |
| Assumed Office: 18-May-2018 Left Office: 01-Jan-2019 Tenure: 7 months, 14 days Notable: Focused on educational initiatives and governance reforms. | |
| Khawaja Daud Ahmad | |
| Assumed Office: 01-Jan-2019 Left Office: 12-Feb-2019 Tenure: 1 month, 11 days Notable: Served a short interim tenure during a transitional period. |  |
| Mr. Mathar Niaz Rana | |
| Assumed Office: 12-Feb-2019 Left Office: 06-Jul-2020 Tenure: 1 year, 4 months, 24 days Notable: Implemented governance and policy reforms, focusing on development. |  |
| Dr. Shezad Khan Bangash | |
| Assumed Office: 06-Jul-2020 Left Office: 28-May-2021 Tenure: 10 months, 22 days Notable: Strengthened public administration and service delivery. |  |
| Shakeel Qadir Khan | |
| Assumed Office: 28-May-2021 Left Office: 18-Aug-2023 Tenure: 2 years, 2 months, 21 days Notable: Focused on administrative reforms and public sector efficiency. |  |
| Mr. Muhammad Usman Chachar | |
| Assumed Office: 18-Aug-2023 Left Office: Incumbent Tenure: Ongoing Notable: Current Chief Secretary, focusing on modernizing public administration. |  |
The list of Chief Secretaries of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) highlights a succession of dedicated and experienced civil servants who have played pivotal roles in the region’s administration and governance. Their tenures reflect a continuity of leadership aimed at addressing the socio-political and economic challenges of AJK, ensuring effective implementation of policies, and maintaining coordination between the AJK and federal governments.