MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Reliable sources have said that a notification for the appointment of Acting Chief Justice Sardar Liaqat Shaheen as the permanent Chief Justice of Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court is likely to be issued today, on Wednesday, following pressure from lawyers’ organisations.
According to sources, the summary regarding Justice Sardar Liaqat Shaheen’s appointment as permanent Chief Justice has now reached the President’s office. President Barrister Sultan Mahmood immediately forwarded the summary to the Chief Secretary of AJK for notification. The formal appointment is now expected today.
The Chairman of the Kashmir Council and Prime Minister of Pakistan had already approved the appointment. However, the Law and Justice Department did not issue the notification at that time, which led to the swearing-in of the acting chief justice instead.
Earlier, Vice Chairman of the AJK Bar Council, Advocate Uqab Ahmed Hashmi, said that the advice from the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice was sent to the AJK government on June 5, 2025.
Despite receiving this advice, the government allowed the acting chief justice to take the oath, which he said was a violation of the Constitution. He added that the legal community was protesting against this.
He also warned that lawyers may begin protests to demand the confirmation of the permanent chief justice.
The District Bar Association Poonch Rawalakot also fully supported the AJK Bar Council’s decision. They demanded that Acting Chief Justice Sardar Liaqat Shaheen should be confirmed as permanent Chief Justice according to the Constitution and law.
They stated that if the demand was not met within two days, they would support any call for protest issued by the Bar Council.
