Zubair Qureshi
Srinagar, Jan 1 (KNS) : Serious concern has been expressed over the functioning of the Pahari Section of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages due to an acute staff shortage.
The issue has come to light following the superannuation of the Editor, Pahari Section-cum-Cultural Officer, Mohd Ayub Mir, on December 31, 2025. His departure has left the section virtually defunct, with only one main employee remaining.
According to sources, four key posts in the section are currently vacant: Editor-in-Chief, Editor-cum-Cultural Officer, Assistant Editor, and Field Assistant. At present, only the Research Assistant post is filled, while two calligraphers and one orderly manage the section's routine work.
All Jammu and Kashmir Pahari Cultural and Welfare Forum has expressed strong resentment over what it terms official apathy towards the Pahari Section. Forum president Raja Aijaz Ali stated that the failure to fill the vacant posts reflects a serious disregard for the Pahari ethnic Group.
“Leaving the only government institution representing the Pahari ethnic group to function with minimal staff shows a lack of seriousness towards the promotion of our language and culture,” he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
PDP's Secretary J&K Pahari Cell
Syed Jamat Ali Shaheen also voiced concern, stating that the prevailing situation contradicts repeated government assurances regarding the protection and promotion of tribal languages. He warned that unless immediate steps are taken to fill the vacant posts or adopt alternative arrangements, the Pahari Section may face institutional stagnation.
“Administrative work, research activities, publications, and cultural programmes are bound to suffer if the section continues to remain understaffed,” he added.
The Pahari language is spoken by a sizeable population across Jammu and Kashmir, and the Pahari Section of JKAACL is regarded as the sole official platform for its promotion and preservation. The Forum and other stakeholders have urged the Government to take urgent notice of the matter and ensure adequate staffing and institutional support to safeguard the linguistic and cultural identity of the Pahari ethnic group.(KNS)