MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The AJK Bar Council today demanded the confirmation of Acting Chief Justice Sardar Liaqat Hussain Shaheen as the permanent Chief Justice of the High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), urging that the appointment be made in line with constitutional and legal requirements.
In a formal notice, the AJK Bar Council expressed its confidence in Justice Shaheen’s leadership and stressed the importance of putting an end to temporary arrangements in the judiciary.
The Council gave a two-day deadline for the implementation of their demand.
If no action is taken within that period, the Council warned of further measures and confirmed that any call for protest or legal action would be fully supported by its members.
Following this, the District Bar Association Poonch Rawalakot also endorsed the decision of the AJK Bar Council.
In a statement, the District Bar Association declared its full support and alignment with the Council, stating that it too believes the acting Chief Justice must be confirmed to uphold judicial integrity.
Similar stance given by Former PM Raja Muhammad Farooq
Former Prime Minister of AJK, Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan, also voiced similar concerns. He criticised the delay in permanent appointments in the judiciary, calling it a “mockery of the judicial system.”
Raja Farooq stated that after approving the appointment of a Chief Justice permanently, continuing to issue notifications for acting Chief Justices is an insult to the judiciary.
He urged all bar associations in AJK to play their role in ensuring the proper functioning and respect of the judiciary.
He also questioned the motives of those in the Kashmir Council in Islamabad, accusing them of repeatedly taking steps that create mistrust in AJK.
Highlighting past incidents, he recalled that the Supreme Court was once without a permanent Chief Justice for seven years, with temporary arrangements used to serve certain agendas.
The call from the AJK Bar Council, supported by the District Bar Association and former PM Raja Farooq, marks a unified stance for the judicial independence of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
