Srinagar, Sept 5 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir administration has stepped up preparations for the successful conduct of the Union Territory’s first international film festival, with 25 JKAS officers appointed as liaison officers for VIPs, dignitaries and other guests attending the four-day event.

The Jammu and Kashmir International Film Festival is scheduled to be held in Kashmir from September 7 to 10, 2026. The designated liaison officers will assist visiting guests and delegates, facilitate coordination and ensure that their requirements are addressed during the festival.

According to Government Order No. 1483-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued on September 4 by Commissioner-Secretary, General Administration Department, M Raju, IAS, 25 JKAS officers have been assigned the responsibility of serving as liaison officers with VVIPs and other dignitaries.

The appointments have been made on the basis of a reference received from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir.

Among the officers appointed as liaison officers are Khalid Jahangir, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, J&K; Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited; Shiv Kumar Gupta, Controller, Legal Metrology, J&K; Sudarshan Kumar, Managing Director, J&K Trade Promotion Organisation; Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar, Managing Director, SIDCO/SICOP; Arun Kumar Manhas, Director, Industries and Commerce, Jammu; Musarrat Islam, Director, Handloom and Handicrafts, Kashmir; and Vikas Sharma, Special Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department.

The list also includes Pawan Kumar Sharma, Director, Geology and Mining, J&K; Rajinder Kumar Sharma, Special Secretary, Skill Development Department; Shabir Hussain Bhat, Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority; Kapil Sharma, Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu; Pawan Kumar, Special Secretary, Labour and Employment Department; Rajinder Singh, Special Secretary, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department; Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums; and Ashish Kumar Gupta, Director, Disaster Management, J&K.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Other designated officers include Ashiq Hussain Lali, Regional Director, Survey and Land Records, Srinagar; Parvez Ahmad Raina, Additional Commissioner, State Taxes (Administration and Enforcement), Kashmir; Rajnish Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Watershed Management Programme; Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing, J&K; Showkat Mahmood, Special Secretary, Social Welfare Department; Dr Zahoor Ahmad Magray, Additional Commissioner in the office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Rakesh Kumar, Special Secretary, Estates Department; Musarrat Hashim, Administrator, Associated Hospitals, Srinagar; and Mohammad Anwar Bandy, Special Secretary, School Education Department.

The government has directed all the appointed officers to report immediately to the Director, Information and Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, for briefing regarding their duties and responsibilities during the festival.

The appointments will remain effective from September 7 to 10, 2026, covering the entire duration of the four-day international film festival.(KNS)