MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Friday issued notices to parties, including Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, in reference filed by the AJK govt in the refugee seats matter.
The reference was heard by a three-member full bench comprising Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram, Justice Raza Ali Khan, and Justice Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry today.
“The Acting President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir filed the instant reference under Article 46-A of the AJK Interim Constitution Act, 1974, seeking the advisory opinion on five questions of law of grave public importance,” the court order stated.
The questions concern the constitutional status of the twelve refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, the competence of the present legislature to effect a fundamental constitutional amendment at this stage, the constitutional limits of the right of assembly and association, and the obligation of the Government to protect the electoral process and decline extra-constitutional demands.
During the hearing, the Advocate General Muhammad Nadeem Khan appeared in court on behalf of the government.
After the hearing, the court issued notices to the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, all Members of the AJK Legislative Assembly, and the heads of all political parties represented in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
The Vice Chairman of AJK Bar Council, the President of AJK Supreme Court Bar Association, the President of AJK High Court Bar Association, and the general public have also been summoned.
As per the order, the court has also invited “Advocate Raja Sajjad Ahmed Khan and Barrister Humayun Nawaz Khan to assist this Court as amici curiae in these proceedings.”
The hearing was adjourned and will resume tomorrow at 9:30 am.
