MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Education Department has suspended the release of salaries to the newly appointed Quran teachers until the Supreme Court of AJK delivers its final verdict.
According to an official letter to all district education officers, the department directed that no payment be made to the newly appointed teachers while the case is still pending in the Supreme Court of AJK.
The letter stated that the AJK Supreme Court, in its initial orders, upheld the High Court’s decision declaring the recruitment process null and void, directed to stop any further selection process.
Despite this, the department noted that some district officers had already disbursed salaries, while others requested guidance.
The matter is currently pending before the AJK Supreme Court, with the next hearing scheduled for August 29, 2025.
Until further orders or a final ruling is announced, the department has instructed all the district officers to withhold salaries of the newly appointed teachers.
Earlier, the Azad Kashmir High Court had declared the appointments of approximately 472 Quran teachers under the Education Department null and void.
A divisional bench comprising Justice Sardar Ijaz Khan and Justice Khalid Rashid ordered an inquiry into the matter and directed action against the officers involved in the illegal appointments.
The court directed that an inquiry be conducted within 3 months to identify the officers responsible for the irregularities. The court nullified the appointments due to violations of rules and regulations.
As per details, more than 100 writ petitions were filed in the High Court regarding the appointments of Quran teachers. After a prolonged hearing, the court reserved its verdict, which was pronounced on Friday
The court has ordered that a report of the proceedings be submitted and directed that future appointments of Quran teachers should be made on merit, in accordance with the law and regulations.
The court has ordered that a report of the proceedings be submitted and that the appointment procedure for all Quran teachers should be implemented on merit in accordance with the law and regulations.
