On Saturday, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry instructed the government to revoke a controversial presidential ordinance that had sparked widespread protests in the region.
Following President Chaudhry’s directive, encapsulated in a letter to AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, the government swiftly released all individuals detained under the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024.”
The repeal comes amid intensifying protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which had initiated long marches and a widespread strike affecting several cities across AJK. The JAAC, a coalition of civil society activists, has been vocal against the ordinance, advocating for the rights of the region’s inhabitants. Despite the AJK Supreme Court’s suspension of the ordinance earlier in the week, protests continued, demanding its complete abolition and the release of detained activists.
Continued Activism and Government Claims
JAAC’s core committee member, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, indicated that the protests would persist until the government formally annuls the ordinance and all activists are freed. Mir also mentioned plans for further negotiations and a potential escalation of protests, including surrounding the legislative assembly.
Read: AJK Private Schools Shut Down Due to Joint Awami Action Committee Strike
After unsuccessful discussions with a ministerial team, protesters converged on key entry points into AJK, such as Barakot. Demonstrations also occurred at the Poonch division and the Kohala and Palandri entry points, which were blocked by protesters, highlighting the protest movement’s extensive reach and organization.
On the contrary, Information Minister Pir Mazhar Saeed announced that all detainees had been released and disputed claims of failed negotiations. He emphasized the formation of a new committee, including representatives from various schools of thought, tasked with implementing the committee’s recommendations.
The controversy stems from an ordinance enacted a month prior. This ordinance prohibited protest rallies, processions, and demonstrations, with violations potentially leading to seven years of imprisonment. Due to its contentious nature, the Azad Kashmir Supreme Court suspended this ordinance on December 3.
