MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has upheld the High Court’s order suspending the implementation of the Ad Hoc Act 2026, ruling that the stay will remain in force until the constitutional petitions challenging the law are finally decided.
In a short order issued on Monday, the apex court endorsed the High Court’s earlier decision, directing that the implementation of the Ad Hoc Act 2026 shall remain suspended.
The court also ordered that the petitioners will continue serving in their current positions and will not be removed until the constitutional challenge is decided.
The case was heard by Senior Judge Justice Raza Ali Khan, who presided over four petitions filed against the High Court’s suspension of the Ad Hoc Act 2026.
The petitions—Raja Athar Ali vs. Khizr Saleem & Others, Noman Tariq & Others vs. Khizr Saleem & Others, Tahir Iqbal & Others vs. Khizr Saleem & Others, and Azad Government & Others vs. Khizr Saleem & Others—were argued by advocates Raja Zeigham Iftikhar, Shahid Ali Awan, Haroon Riaz Mughal, Abrar Khan, and Fayyaz Khan.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government was represented by Additional Advocate General Chaudhry Kaleem Afsar during the proceedings.
The Supreme Court’s ruling means that the Ad Hoc Act 2026 will remain inoperative until the constitutional validity of the legislation is finally determined by the court.
With this order of the Supreme Court, temporary, ad hoc and contract employees posted in the Azad Kashmir Bar have got interim relief.
