MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution related to the matter of refugee seats, which was earlier adopted by the All Parties Conference (APC).
The resolution was presented by Law Minister Mian Abdul Waheed Advocate, government ministers Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Sardar Javed Ayub, Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar, and Nabila Ayub during the session, chaired by Chaudhry Latif Akbar.
According to details, a total of nine resolutions were presented before the House and received unanimous approval from lawmakers.
The assembly ratified the APC’s recommendations regarding refugee seats and expressed its support for pursuing the matter through appropriate legal, constitutional, and political channels.
The resolution adopted during the All-Party Conference (APC) on Wednesday stated that all political parties have agreed that the matter related to the abolition of 12 Legislative Assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan should be taken up in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
The resolution stated that constitutional reforms are the exclusive authority and mandate of the elected representatives of the people; therefore, the matter of such reforms should be left to the Legislative Assembly.
It added that a consultative process should be initiated in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including political parties, bar associations, the Bar Council, civil society, and constitutional experts.
The resolution further reiterated that the elections to the AJK Legislative Assembly will be held on time as per the constitution and law.
“All necessary administrative, legal, and security measures will be ensured for free, transparent, fair, and peaceful elections so that the people can exercise their right to vote without any pressure or hindrance,” the resolution reads.
The political and religious parties agreed that any attempt to obstruct or sabotage the electoral process will be strictly prohibited in accordance with the law.
Speaking during the session on the matter of refugee seats, Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has said that all political parties participated in the recent All Parties Conference (APC).
“The Action Committee was also invited to the conference to express its opinion on the issue, and matters can be taken forward through mutual consultation,” Rathore said.
The premier further stated that different political parties may have their own positions regarding the procedure for refugees.
“However, a joint resolution was presented in the All-Parties Conference after mutual consultation, on which all participants agreed.”
Bills presented in the House
Meanwhile, several draft laws were presented by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mian Abdul Waheed, which were unanimously approved by the House.
The drafts include “The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Public Sector Universities Act, 2024”, “The Muzaffarbad Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), Muzaffarabad Act, 2025”, and “The AJK Flood Plain Regulation Act, 2022.”
Moreover, the draft law “Azad Jammu and Kashmir Tajweed-ul-Quran Trust (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026” presented by Minister for Law Mian Abdul Waheed was submitted to the elected committee comprising MLAs Chaudhry Muhammad Raffique Nayyar, Sardar Javed Ayub, Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid, Ahmed Raza Qadri, and Nabila Ayub.
The draft laws, introduced by the Minister Mian Abdul Waheed, namely, “The Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Bagh (Amendment) Act, 2026″, ” The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Act, 2026″, ” The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legal Practitioners and Bar Council (Amendment) Act, 2026″, ” The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Food Authority (Amendment) Act, 2026″, and ” The National Database and Registration Authority (Adaptation and Extension) Act, 2026″ were presented in the House and were referred to the relevant Standing Committee.
