Remembering G A Peer

G A Peer’s rather early death, he was in his early seventies, on 3rd August, 2025, pained many of his friends and well wishers. For his family it is a tragedy, a void which can never be filled. His going must be causing them immense sadness.

I first got to meet Peer saheb after he was posted as Assistant Commissioner (AC) Shopian in mid 1987 while I was DC Pulwama. Shopian was then part of district Pulwama. Later in his career he worked as Deputy Commissioner in three districts in Kashmir valley while I was Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir 1998- 2001 and again 2003-05.

Peer saheb was a tireless worker who stretched himself to the maximum, working beyond office hours, touring and meeting deputations and hearing hundreds of people with their grievances and applications. He was an uncommonly hardworking officer, indefatigable. I recall he was posted as DC Anantnag post Chithisinghpora and Pathribal incidents in March 2000 to calm the situation in the district post these unfortunate incidents, using his vast personal contacts in Anantnag, being a resident of the district. His reputation of being a pro-people, hardworking and honest officer influenced the decision to post him as DC Anantnag at that critical juncture and I remember my telephonic talk with the then Chief Secretary late Ashok Jaitley saheb regarding posting of Peer saheb as the new DC at Anantnag (April 2000 ). Quite expectedly, Peer saheb was able to get on top of the situation there very quickly.

Peer saheb was also a competent revenue officer, having chosen revenue service after passing the J&K PSC’s KAS exam in 1977. Consequently, he worked as Tehsildar for many years after 1977 till promotion as AC and then DC. Experience of work as Tehsildar and AC helped him to discharge his revenue administration work efficiently when posted as DC. As Divisional Commissioner, I would occasionally seek his advice in revenue matters even when the work did not pertain to his district. Peer saheb’s another quality as an administrator was his promptness in getting things done. Generally, he would not miss deadlines.

G A Peer’s achievements as a civil servant and his style of work can become an example for the current breed of JKAS officers. Unfortunately, now we don’t find many young officers who are as hard working and committed to solving the problems of the common people. Peer saheb had that extra feeling for the rural people and he would go an extra mile to solve their individual problems. This attitude was not common even then and is almost non-existent now.

Peer saheb also excelled as Director School Education, Kashmir and as Administrative Secretary School Education Department. He was a man of letters and I am told he had excellent knowledge of Urdu and Persian literature. I recall he would, once in a while, quote from Urdu poetry which showed his interest.

He endured diabetes for many years while in service but lost his health rapidly after retirement. Because of deteriorating health he almost stopped interacting even with his friends and well wishers. His family stood by him including his two brilliant sons.

Those whom Peer saheb helped with all his heart during his service years must be feeling quite sad at his early passing away. Hundreds in district Anantnag are grieving his death and will miss him for a long long time.

May Allah grant him magfirat and a place in Jannat ul Firdous. Aameen.