The Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has overturned former Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas’s disqualification, granting him relief nearly two months before his sentence expires.
In April 2023, the AJK High Court disqualified Ilyas for two years. He later appealed the decision in the AJK Supreme Court, seeking a reversal of the ruling. During the proceedings, Ilyas, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) loyalist, apologized for contempt, leading the top court to lift his disqualification.
His disqualification stemmed from remarks he made at a public gathering, in which he criticized the judiciary for issuing stay orders on government-related cases. Following his removal, the AJK Legislative Assembly appointed Chaudhry Anwarul Haq as the new prime minister.
Read: AJK High Court Disqualifies Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas for Contempt
In May 2023, authorities arrested Ilyas for allegedly attacking a company’s office. However, he secured bail within a few days and was released.
With the Supreme Court’s latest decision, Ilyas can now actively engage in political affairs ahead of his original disqualification term’s conclusion in April 2025.
