AJK govt withdraws presidential ordinance after JAAC protests

MUZZAFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday withdrawn the presidential ordinance banning peaceful protests, ARY News reported.

According to the notification issued here, the AJK government has withdrawn the controversial presidential ordinance following successful talks between the government and the Joint Public Action Committee (JAAC).

The development came after, a complete strike was observed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday (December 5).

Educational institutes and shops were closed on the protest call of Jammu & Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), while transport was also suspended in the region.

Under the presidential ordinance, the government enforced 7-year jail term for the people protesting in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The committee and other civil society groups hold the view that the ordinance infringes on the people’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression, raising questions about the balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding civil liberties in the liberated territory.

On Tuesday, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court suspended the enforcement of ‘Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024’, while admitting two appeals against a high court ruling that had upheld the contentious law.

In May, the Awami Joint Action Committee announced to end ongoing protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) against soaring inflation a day after the government accepted their demands.

It is pertinent to mention here that Azad Jammu and Kashmir witnessed violent clashes between the police and activists of a rights movement amid a wheel-jam and shutter-down strike across the territory, which left at least three people dead and several others injured.