High-Level Coordination Council Establishes to restore stability in AJK
Muzaffarabad: In a bid to address ongoing tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a Coordination Council has been formally established, bringing together retired judges, senior legal figures, journalists, bureaucrats, elected representatives, and members of the Kashmiri diaspora.
The council includes former judges of the superior judiciary such as retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Syed Manzoor Hussain Gilani, Chaudhry Muhammad Ibrahim Zia, and former Chief Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, along with retired Chief Justices of the High Court including Azhar Saleem Baber and Sadaqat Hussain Raja.
Former Chief Election Commissioner Justice (R) Abdul Rasheed and senior retired bureaucrats also form part of the council.
Representatives from legal bodies, including the AJK Bar Council and Supreme Court Bar Association, as well as senior media figures and elected local government representatives, have also joined the initiative. Prominent journalists, press organizations, and overseas Kashmiri representatives are included in the coordination framework.
During an emergency press conference held at the Central Press Club Muzaffarabad, speakers emphasized the need for peaceful and transparent elections in Azad Kashmir and warned against actions that could destabilize the region.
They stated that disputes over “migrant seats” should not be used to disrupt peace or derail the electoral process, urging all stakeholders, including the Joint Awami Action Committee and the government, to return to the negotiation table.
The council stressed that any resolution regarding migrant seats must be in accordance with the constitutional framework of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Speakers also expressed concern over alleged misuse of domicile certificates for jobs and legislative representation, calling for transparent investigations by the government.
They further noted that recent strike and shutter-down calls have negatively impacted the region’s economy, particularly the tourism sector.
The Coordination Council appealed to the Joint Awami Action Committee to withdraw its planned call for June 9 and urged both the government and administration to exercise restraint, patience, and dialogue to maintain peace and stability in the region.
