First Muslim IAS officer from J&K, Muhammad Shafi Pandit passes away

Srinagar, Sep 19: Muhammad Shafi Pandit, the first Muslim IAS officer from Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on Thursday. He was 80.

Pandit was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi, his family said.

According to family sources, his body was carried from Delhi to Srinagar by air transportation and his Nimaz-e-Jinazah was offered at 9:30 pm at Gogji Bagh in Srinagar.

Pandit was the first Muslim from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the civil services examinations in 1969.

His final assignment with the government was as the head of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKSPC).

Pandit was known for his distinguished career in public service and for being one of the first Kashmiris to clear the prestigious civil services examination.

Pandit served in various capacities and contributed significantly to the administrative and governance landscape of J&K.

In addition to his bureaucratic achievements, he played a role in mentoring and encouraging youth from the region to pursue careers in civil services.

After his retirement, Pandit continued to be active in social and educational causes.

The soft-spoken Pandit was part of many civil society groups in Kashmir.

He also played a key role in rolling out the Mandal Commission Report as he was the Joint Secretary of the Government of India in 1992.

Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the demise of Pandit.

“Saddened by the demise of Muhammad Shafi Pandit. He had an illustrious career as a bureaucrat and served with distinction. He will be remembered for his significant contributions to public service and civil society. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief,” he said.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo also condoled the demise of Pandit.

In his condolence message, Dulloo remembered Pandit as a very passionate officer who had been there to extend his advice and guidance whenever he was accessed for the same.

He termed him a problem solver who had optimum solutions for every issue at hand.

The chief secretary called him a very compassionate officer who had pioneered government-sponsored coaching classes for civil service aspirants.

He said that he chiselled the career of many youngsters by encouraging them to join the civil services and would be remembered by them for his mentorship for all times to come.

Dulloo remembered that he met him a couple of times and raised different issues of public importance.

He called him a philanthropist par excellence who had changed the lives of many for the better.

National Conference (NC) President and three-time chief minister Farooq Abdullah and NC Vice President and former chief minister Omar Abdullah condoled the demise of Pandit.

In his condolence message, Farooq Abdullah said that the deceased had remarkable talents and skills, which fuelled the performance of the various departments he headed.

In his condolence message, Omar Abdullah said that the deceased would be remembered for his philanthropic activities and administrative prowess.

The duo while extending condolences and sympathies to the bereaved Pandit and Sogami households prayed for peace to the departed soul in the highest echelons of the Jannat.

NC leaders Ali Muhammad Sagar, Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Shammi Oberoi, Nasir Aslam Wani, Tanvir Sadiq, Mushtaq Guroo, Mudassar Shahmiri, Muhammad Shafi Uri, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, and Shariefuddin Shariq also condoled with the bereaved household.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh condoled the death of the IAS officer.

“My good friend of many years. Muhammad Shafi Pandit, has just passed away. He was a 1969-batch IAS officer who occupied important positions with distinction, both in J&K and at the Centre,” Ramesh wrote in a post on X.

“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 epitomised the glorious composite heritage of J&K and was a role model for youth from the Valley to join the civil services,” the Congress leader wrote.

Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said he was ‘deeply saddened’ to hear about the passing away of Pandit.

“Pandit was a distinguished son of the soil who dedicated his entire life to serving the people of J&K,” Bukhari wrote on his official X handle. “He has not been just a renowned IAS officer, but a man of principle who truly understood the needs and aspirations of the people he served during his career.”

Bukhari said that Pandit’s contributions were particularly notable in the various high-ranking positions he held throughout his career, including Chairman of the Public Service Commission (JKPSC), Additional Secretary, and several other key administrative roles.

“May Allah grant him Jannah and give strength to his bereaved family to bear the pain of this irreparable loss,” Bukhari prayed.

Former union minister Saifuddin Soz also condoled the demise of Pandit.

“He was a gem of a person. Three days ago I phoned him and prayed for him. My sympathies with the family," he said.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devender Singh Rana tweeted, “Sad to hear about the demise of Jenab Shafi Pandit Sahab IAS (Retd) former Additional Chief Secretary J&K. An accomplished upright competent bureaucrat of J&K cadre who after retirement also contributed to the civil society. May his soul rest in peace in heaven. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.”

CPI (M) leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Pandit.

He expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.

The former advisor to the governor of erstwhile J&K State Khurshid Ahmad Ganai also condoled the demise.

“Feel sad and shocked. We will miss Mohammad Shafi Pandit Saheb for a long time. He was unmatched as an officer and a human being. Kashmir has lost a great son,” Ganai said.

Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum Chairman, Abdul Qayoom Wani expressed grief over the sad demise.

In his condolence message, Wani said the deceased was a great administrator and contributed to society in different capacities as a bureaucrat, civil society leader and great son of the soil.

Nephew of Pandit, Kazim A Pandit, in his tribute termed late Pandit as “the crown of the Pandit family” and highlighted his influence not just in public life but in personal circles as well.

“He was the guiding force who led with humility, grace, and an unwavering hand of kindness. He was a thinker, a prominent voice for civil society, and the President of the Youth Hostels Association of India. His contributions to governance, social reform, and civil dialogue were vast, shaping both the administration and the moral conscience of the region. He is remembered for his integrity, wisdom, and the grace with which he carried out his duties,” he wrote.

Central Government Pensioners Welfare Association (CGPWA) Kashmir of which Shafi Pandit was the president expressed grief and sorrow over his sad demise.

In a statement, CGPWA Kashmir expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and Shafi Pandit’s extended family in various social welfare initiatives.

The Central Govt Pensioners’ Welfare Association (CGPWA) Jammu also expressed condolences over the sudden death of Muhamad Shafi Pandit.

The President of CGPWA Jammu, Kuldeep Khoda and General Secretary K B Jandial conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family and recalled his contributions as an outstanding bureaucrat and his role post retirement.

Several former senior civil servants of all-India services and other central government services paid rich tributes.

They included Dr Ashok Bhan, Ashok Angurana, B R Kundal, B R Sharma, Pramod Jain, Alok Puri, R L Bharti, J K Vaid, B K Raina, MA Anjum, Nissar Ahmad, Dr Sudarshan Kumar, Prem Gupta, Vijay Sambyal, Hemant Sharm, U Pachananda S Bali, Rajinder Gupta, C L Banal, Yoginder Koul, C M Seth, O N Koul and V K Zadoo. O P Sharma, V K Ghai, S C Sharma, H N Raina, Datta Ji Ganjoo, and S S Bijral.

Senior trade union leader and President Employees Joint Action Committee Jammu Kashmir (EJAC) Fayaz Ahmad Shabnam also condoled the sad demise of Mohammad Shafi Pandit.

The all-India Services Officers of the J&K cadre also paid rich tributes to Muhammad Shafi Pandit.

"Our brilliant colleague, who stood steadfast for his principles, has left us all devastated. Unfortunately, he lost the battle of life suddenly leaving family, friends and admirers in grief. We don’t find enough words to express our grief and stand together with you and your family in this tragic moment. Please accept our heartfelt condolences," the statement reads.

Director Sericulture J&K Ajaz Ahmad Bhat expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mohammad Shafi Pandit and termed him a towering figure in Jammu and Kashmir's administrative circles.

Bhat extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for strength to help them cope with this immense loss.

The Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO) also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the passing of Muhammad Shafi Pandit Sahab.

"Pandit Sahab was not just an accomplished personality but a true environmentalist at heart. He was a mentor, a guide, and an inspiration to countless individuals, including all of us at NLCO. His commitment to environmental conservation was evident through his active involvement in our initiatives” said Manzoor Wangnoo Chairman NLCO.

He prayed for the departed soul. "May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah and give his family and loved ones strength in this difficult time," he said.

Earlier, a gathering of senior officers observed two minutes silence and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

“M S Pandit, an IAS officer of the 1969 batch was among the pioneers of erstwhile J&K cadre. He was a veteran bureaucrat who held various important positions in the State and Centre including the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and later the Chairman of J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC) towards the end of his career,” the statement read.

It read that all senior officers participated in this condolence meeting and prayed for the peace of the departed soul.

They also expressed their sympathy for the family and also prayed for their patience to bear this irreparable loss.

Social activist and an academic, Shehla Rashid also expressed her deepest condolences to the family of Muhammed Shafi Pandit.

"He led a life of service, mentoring numerous civil service aspirants. His wife, Nighat Ma'am, also runs a lot of charitable initiatives, silently helping those in need. She also runs a lot of self-help groups, helping women stand on their own feet. Stay strong, ma'am. Deepest respect for this family. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon," she wrote on X.

Youth Hostel Association of India, New Delhi, Rupesh also expressed condolences on the demise of M S Pandit.

"It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our beloved leader, mentor, and inspiration, Muhammad Shafi Pandit Sahab. His departure has left a void that cannot be filled," he said.