All government payments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) will remain suspended for two weeks starting January 6 due to an upgrade of the SAP-based financial management system. The suspension will continue until January 20, according to a circular issued by the accountant general’s office.
The circular stated that the Directorate of Federal Accounts (FABs) in Islamabad will carry out the system upgrade on instructions of the AJK Controller General of Accounts. During this period, the SAP system will remain non-functional, preventing the processing of any government payments.
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Additional Accountant General Mir Muhammad Asghar said that the temporary shutdown was necessary to improve the efficiency and performance of the financial management system. However, he acknowledged that the suspension could disrupt routine financial operations if precautionary steps were not taken.
To minimise inconvenience, all divisional and district accounts officers were directed to clear receipted bills before the system goes offline. Officers were also instructed to ensure daily clearance of claims and maintain a zero balance in the Bill Tracking Report by January 5.
In an unusual administrative move, weekly holidays on January 3 and 4 were cancelled. All accounts offices across AJK will remain open on these days to facilitate timely processing of pending government payments.
The circular emphasised that strict compliance with the instructions was essential to avoid financial bottlenecks during the upgrade period. Officials were warned that delays or negligence could lead to complications once the system resumes operations.
Government departments, contractors and service providers have been advised to adjust their financial planning accordingly. Officials said normal payment processing would resume immediately after the completion of the upgrade, with improved system reliability.
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The SAP financial management system is used to process salaries, pensions, development expenditures and other government payments. Authorities said the upgrade was part of ongoing efforts to modernise financial administration and strengthen transparency in public sector accounting.