‘Kashmir’s pride’ Mohammad Shafi Pandit, J-K’s first Muslim IAS officer, dies at 80

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Srinagar to address an election rally, paid tribute to Pandit.

“I have been informed that Kashmir’s pride, one among the first IAS officers of Kashmir, Mohammad Shafi Pandit ji, passed away last night. Even after his retirement, he worked for the benefit of society. In this hour of grief, our prayers are with his family,” Modi said

Pandit, who did his Master’s in Geology from the University of Kashmir, qualified for civil services in 1969, becoming the first Muslim from J&K to qualify. He got the 5th rank in the exam.

He had also done his postgraduation in Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota, in the United States.

During his career, Pandit held several coveted positions, and retired as Additional Chief Secretary of J&K.

From 2004 to 2009, he was chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC).

After his retirement, Pandit launched the Ascent Group to coach civil service aspirants in the Valley.

Condoling Pandit’s death, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said he would be remembered for significant contributions to public service and civil society.

Calling him a good friend, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Pandit “epitomised the glorious composite heritage of J&K”.

“After retirement, he devoted himself to various public causes and emerged as a leading voice of civil society. Soft spoken and extremely gentle by nature… he was a role model for the Valley to join the civil services,” Ramesh said in a post on X.