MUZAFARABBAD (Kashmir English): Afghan citizens residing in Azad Kashmir have approached the High Court against the orders directing them to leave Pakistan by August 31.
A writ petition was filed in the Azad Kashmir High Court by Abdul Jabbar and others, Afghan nationals living in the AJK since 1994.
The petitioners told the court that they have been running the “City National Hotel” in Muzaffarabad since 2005 and are regular taxpayers.
They argued that, under the law, residential rights can be granted after 10 years of residence, while they have lived there for more than 32 years. Their application for a concession is still pending with the Board of Revenue.
The petitioners further stated that the Ministry of Interior’s August 4 directive asking them to return to Afghanistan by August 31 is unlawful, as their case has not been decided.
The court, chaired by Justice Khalid Rasheee, admitted the writ petition and fixed the next hearing for today, i.e., 29 August.
