Legal Context and Suspension
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Supreme Court put the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024,” on hold. Two appeals were filed against the ruling of a high court to uphold the ordinance on regulation of public gatherings, following which the Azad Jammu and Kashmir interim constitution of 1974 guarantees fundamental rights like the right to assemble and right of freedom of speech.
Public and Civil Society Response
Civil society organizations, such as the Jammu & Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), have welcomed the suspension. The alliance, however, said it would go ahead with a statewide strike demanding a complete repeal of the ordinance and the release of activists arrested during protests. The ordinance was crafted to crush their dissent, JKJAAC said.
Protests and Clashes
Mass protests erupted across AJK, particularly in Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot, with protesters from organizations like the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) demanding justice. Several protests turned violent, leading to injuries and arrests. Police forces resorted to tear gas and baton charges to disperse crowds, raising concerns about police brutality during the protests.
Supreme Court Verdict and Future Course of Action
In terms of its head, Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram, the Supreme Court of AJK combined all the appeals into a single case and conducted intensive hearings. Interim relief was granted until the time of the final verdict on the case. According to observers, this is such a moment in balancing constitutional freedoms with public order.
This development underlines the tension between governance and civil liberties in AJK, with public protests amplifying calls for a repeal of laws seen as oppressive.