Barrister Iftikhar Gillani Exposes Education Bribes and Calls for Free, Fair Elections in Azad Kashmir

Former Minister of Education, Barrister Iftikhar Gillani, has strongly criticized the misuse of Azad Kashmir’s education department as a tool for political bribery and highlighted the urgent need for free and fair elections to restore governance in the state.

In an exclusive interview, Gillani revealed structural flaws in the education sector, slammed the current coalition government, and warned that Azad Kashmir is heading towards an institutional collapse unless immediate reforms are implemented.

Education Department Used as Political Bribery

Gillani disclosed that for decades, teaching jobs and posts in the education department were distributed as political bribes. Due to the disputed status of Azad Kashmir, private businesses never developed fully, leaving government jobs as the primary source of livelihood.

“Teachers were recruited without minimum standards. Most were appointed with just FA or Matric qualifications. This was the culture of political bribery,” he said.

He added that for the first time during his tenure, the minimum qualification for primary and junior teachers was set at BA, B.Ed, and recruitment was conducted through a third-party NTS system.

Over 10,000 teachers were inducted under this transparent system, who are now known as NTS Teachers across Azad Kashmir.

Key Educational Reforms Introduced

Gillani listed several reforms introduced during his ministry, including:

• Biometric attendance system to ensure teachers’ presence in schools.
  
• Early Childhood Education (pre-school) introduced for the first time.
  
• Digital classrooms with smart boards launched in 10 districts under a pilot project.
  
• Focus on skill-based education, ensuring students acquire computer and technical skills to become global citizens.
  

“No matter how good the building or equipment is, without good teachers there can be no quality education,” Gillani emphasized.

Call for Board Examination Reforms

The former minister highlighted the need to revamp the Mirpur Board of Matric and FA examinations, pointing out that current qualifications are not internationally accredited.

“Until our degrees have national and international recognition, they will have no value. This is a critical reform we must pursue,” he stated.

Collapse of Governance and Rise of Anarchy

Turning to the political crisis, Gillani warned that Azad Kashmir is facing a complete collapse of governance under the current coalition government led by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq.

He said the so-called “MLAs’ government” has failed miserably, with institutions collapsing, police protesting in uniform, and anti-state slogans emerging for the first time in history.

“The writ of the government has ended. Every department, every school of thought, has been protesting. The entire system is heading towards collapse,” Gillani remarked.

Free and Fair Elections – The Only Way Forward

Gillani argued that the 2021 Azad Kashmir elections were engineered by bringing together defectors from different parties to form the PTI government, which has since seen three prime ministers in just four years.

“When governments are made through artificial engineering, they collapse. Only a government with a genuine public mandate can bring stability,” he stressed.

He called for fresh, transparent elections, stating that without them, Azad Kashmir cannot move forward.

Refugee Seats and Kashmir Issue

Addressing the sensitive issue of refugee seats, Gillani said the system has been in place since the 1970s and has become a convention. While changes can legally be made through the Legislative Assembly, he warned against altering the process in ways that could negatively impact the Kashmir dispute at the international level.

Rise of the Joint Awami Action Committee

With mainstream parties weakened, Gillani credited the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) for filling the vacuum of opposition. He praised its role in uniting traders, transporters, students, and political workers under joint leadership.

“They gave a new concept of joint leadership in Azad Kashmir. Whether they will enter politics or continue as a pressure group remains to be seen,” he noted.

Blame on PM Anwar-ul-Haq for Social Divide

Gillani placed responsibility for growing social hatred and anti-state slogans directly on PM Anwar-ul-Haq’s policies.

“The distance of 135 km between Muzaffarabad and Islamabad today feels like 13,500 km. His wrong policies have destroyed the social fabric of Azad Kashmir, and history will hold him accountable,” he concluded.