MIRPUR (Kashmir English): The Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Friday suspended the advertisement issued for appointments of various posts in the Azad Kashmir High Court until the final decision of the case.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram and Justice Khawaja Naseem heard the case filed by Taimur Qayyum at the Supreme Court Branch Registry, Mirpur.
The petitioners have challenged the advertisement published in the state newspaper on February 15, taking the stand that it does not meet the quota allocation and other legal requirements under the Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court Establishment Rules 2020.
The petition sought the court to suspend the advertisement until the final decision.
After hearing the arguments of the lawyers, the Supreme Court held that the petitioners’ case meets the necessary legal standards for the issuance of interim relief.
The case falls within the definition of a prima facie moot case and involves factors such as the balance of convenience and the potential irreparable loss to the petitioners. The court ordered that the said advertisement shall remain suspended till further orders.
The petitioners had also filed a petition in the Azad Kashmir High Court seeking the quashing of the advertisement and its re-issuance with correct quota distribution as per law, but the court did not issue a stay order.
The petitioners had challenged any inconsistency in the amended Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court Establishment Rules 2020 which was inconsistent with general legal provisions.
This decision of the Supreme Court highlights the importance of ensuring transparency and adherence to legal principles in recruitment and administrative decisions in the public sector.
The case has now entered the next stage where further arguments and legal points will be considered.
It may be recalled that the Azad Kashmir High Court had issued an advertisement for appointments to Grade I to Grade 17 posts on February 15 in a state newspaper.
