Key Points
- AJK Supreme Court Bar urges armed elements to surrender and submit to law.
- Says perpetrators of killings and damage must face courts.
- Warns state writ challengers endanger human lives.
- Khawaja Muhammad Asif urges loyalty to state and constitution.
ISLAMABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court Bar Association has condemned the recent violent protests linked to the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), describing attacks on state institutions and public property as serious criminal acts that must be dealt with under the law.
In a statement, AJK Supreme Court Bar Association President Raja Aftab Ahmed said those involved in armed attacks, damage to government property, and the loss of human lives should immediately surrender to the authorities and face legal proceedings.
Those involved in destroying the state’s peace must lay down their weapons and hand themselves over to the law.” – AJK Supreme Court Bar Association
He added that individuals found responsible for armed assaults, vandalism of public property, and fatalities during the unrest would have to answer before the courts.
Raja Aftab said the AJK Supreme Court Bar Association would provide legal assistance to such individuals in the courts of Azad Kashmir, provided they voluntarily surrendered to the authorities.
He warned that elements challenging the writ of the state and confronting state institutions were endangering human lives and committing grave offences.
The actions of these miscreants constitute serious crimes and are tantamount to rebellion.” – AJK Supreme Court Bar Association
The statement marks the latest condemnation of the violent protests by professional groups in Azad Kashmir, following similar criticism from representatives of other schools of thought.
Legal experts said the Bar Association’s characterisation of the protests as an act of rebellion reflected growing concern within the legal community over the direction taken by sections of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also weighed in on the situation, urging those involved in the unrest to reaffirm their loyalty to the state.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Asif said dialogue could only begin with “loyalty and complete obedience to the state”.
Addressing what he described as “misguided brothers in Azad Kashmir who appear to be pursuing a certain agenda”, the minister urged them to read Article 5 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which requires unwavering loyalty to the state and obedience to the Constitution and law.
