Azad Jammu and Kashmir has appointed its first ever woman chief economist, Mahnaz Faheem, in the Planning and Development Department. Her appointment is being seen as an important milestone for the region.
Mahnaz Faheem has been promoted from grade BS-19 to BS-20, reflecting her long professional experience and strong performance in the field of economic planning. Over the years, she has worked on several major development projects, including assignments supported by the United Nations Development Programme. Her work has focused on research, policy analysis, and development planning.
She also has a strong academic background. Mahnaz Faheem earned her higher education degrees from Quaid-e-Azam University in Pakistan and the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, which has helped shape her expertise in economics and public policy.
After her appointment, she emphasized the importance of having more women in senior decision-making and policy roles. She said that women’s representation at higher levels leads to more balanced and inclusive policies. She also pledged to promote evidence-based economic planning that is fair, transparent, and sensitive to the needs of different groups, including women and marginalized communities.
Her appointment is being welcomed as a positive step towards inclusive growth and balanced development in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Many see it as a sign of progress that could encourage greater participation of women in leadership roles and help strengthen the region’s economic planning and development process.
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