MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 20: The adviser to the Azad Kashmir prime minister on education, Chaudhry Mohammad Yousaf, has stopped attending his office following criticism by the Muslim Conference president and Legislative Assembly member, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan.

“I will not offer any comments unless I hold a meeting with the prime minister (Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan),” Mr Yousaf said when reached by Dawn on telephone here on Friday.

Sardar Attique Ahmed had made a speech at the meeting of the party’s working committee on Tuesday last wherein he among other things also came heavily down upon the adviser on education, alleging that he was affiliated with Jamaat-i-Islami and the education department was in a mess because of the adviser.

In response, premier Hayat said he could relieve Mr Yousaf if Sardar Attique wished so. However, the PM further said that Mr Yousaf was already unwilling to accept the office (of adviser) and he had only accepted the office on his (PM’s) request.

Following the controversy, Mr Yousaf avoided attending his office on Thursday and Friday although he was in Muzaffarabad. However, his staff maintained that he was not feeling well.

Sources close to Mr Yousaf claim that some ruling party legislators are annoyed with him because he had been refusing to entertain their demands regarding the appointments and transfers in the department for being illegal.

It may be noted here that the majority of teachers in Azad Kashmir claim favours on the basis of their political affiliations, which it is widely believed has been the main reason behind declining standard of education, as well as the mess in the department.