MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, on Wednesday announced the grant of Rs1.5 million for the welfare of lawyers and handed over a cheque to the President of the Central Bar Association, Syed Anees-ul- Hassan Gilani.
The announcement was made while addressing a ceremony organized by the Central Bar Association in Muzaffarabad.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that saving the state system is the foremost need of the hour, adding that political stability, democracy, and lasting peace are among the government’s top priorities. He said the government’s entire focus is on providing relief to the common people despite limited resources.
Moreover, he assured the lawyers that issues related to their accommodation would be resolved and announced that a PC-I would be prepared for the construction of lawyers’ chambers on the allocated land.
Terming lawyers a responsible and conscious segment of society, the Prime Minister said that the relationship between politics and advocacy has always been strong. He emphasized that chaos and violence cannot solve problems and that disagreements should be addressed through dialogue and democratic means. “Change comes through the ballot, and the Constitution provides a clear democratic path,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that the agreement with the Awami Action Committee was made a priority, which helped improve the law and order situation in the state. He added that the Government of Pakistan has always stood by Azad Kashmir and that unity and harmony must be promoted.
The Prime Minister said that within a short span of seven to eight months, the government aims to set a clear and positive direction for the future of the state. He said that after Bayan-un-Marsoos, the Kashmir issue has once again gained global attention.
“The challenges facing the state are greater than the available resources, but the government is making sincere efforts to address public problems within its means,” he added.
Earlier, special prayers were offered for the elevation of the ranks of late AJK President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and former Prime Minister Mumtaz Hussain Rathore.
Addressing the ceremony, Most Senior Minister and Law Minister Mian Abdul Waheed said that the black coat carries its own sanctity and that lawyers have played a pivotal role in the establishment and continuity of democracy and the protection of civil liberties. He said that lawyers’ deprivations would be addressed and announced that Kashmir Solidarity Day would be observed with full enthusiasm.
President of the Central Bar Association, Syed Anees-ul-Hassan Gilani, thanked the Prime Minister for the grant and highlighted the issues faced by the legal fraternity. He said that a strong Pakistan is the guarantor of a secure future and paid tribute to the armed forces for their sacrifices in defense of the country.
The ceremony was attended by senior ministers, lawyers, journalists, civil society members, and a large number of people.
