AJK SC upholds death sentence to man accused of killing business partner

The Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has upheld the death sentence of a man convicted of murdering his business partner in 2013, dismissing his final appeal in its Shariat Appellate Jurisdiction.

 The two-member bench, comprising Justice Raza Ali Khan and Justice Khalid Yousaf Chaudhary, ruled that the prosecution had proved the case beyond any shadow of doubt and found no mitigating circumstances to justify a lesser sentence.

The incident had occurred on February 7, 2013, when the convict, Muhammad Arif, visited the residence of his business partner Zahoor in the Gojra neighbourhood of Muzaffarabad, to discuss disputes relating to their joint transport business, including vehicles and payment cheques. During the exchange, the situation escalated and Arif opened fire, inflicting fatal injuries on Zahoor, who died on the way to hospital.

The case underwent multiple stages of adjudication. In 2018, a district court in Muzaffarabad had sentenced the convict to life imprisonment under Section 302(B) of the Azad Penal Code (APC), along with fines and compensation. However, in 2023, the Shariat Appellate Bench of the High Court enhanced the sentence to death as Qisas under Section 302(A), while dismissing the convict’s appeal and accepting a revision petition filed by the victim’s family.

 In his appeal before the apex court, the convict challenged the credibility of eyewitnesses, describing them as “interested” due to their relationship with the deceased. The court rejected this argument, observing that in incidents occurring within a residential setting, close relatives were often the most natural witnesses and their testimony could not be discarded solely on the basis of relationship.

The defence also contended that the prosecution had failed to establish a motive. The bench held that where reliable ocular evidence was available, the absence of a proven motive was not fatal to the prosecution’s case.

A plea regarding the convict’s alleged mental illness was likewise dismissed, with the court noting that the matter had already been settled in earlier proceedings and that medical evaluations had declared him fit.

Upholding the High Court’s ruling, the apex court reiterated that once a charge of murder under Section 302 of the APC was established, capital punishment remained the normal rule unless compelling mitigating factors existed — which, it held, were absent in the present case.

The convict-appellant and complainant respondent were respectively represented by advocates Amjad Ali Khan and Raja Gul Majeed Khan. 

The judgment authored by Justice Khalid Yousaf Chaudhary was announced in Mirpur the other day.  

End

Sehrai remembered as symbol of resistance at Muzaffarabad events

A rally and a seminar were held here on Tuesday to mark the fifth death anniversary of pro-freedom Kashmiri leader Muhammad Ashraf Khan Sehrai, with speakers vowing to continue resistance against Indian rule and highlighting what they described as the suppression of dissent in India-held Kashmir.

The rally, organised by Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir (PHJK) at Burhan Wani Chowk, drew participation from political and religious leaders as well as activists, who paid glowing tributes to Sehrai and other Kashmiri martyrs. Chanting slogans such as “Sehrai, your martyrdom will bring a revolution” and “Long live the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir,” participants reaffirmed their commitment to what they termed the ongoing struggle for freedom.

Carrying banners and placards, the demonstrators also paid tribute to Sehrai’s son, Junaid Sehrai, who was martyred by Indian troops exactly a year before his father’s custodial death, describing both father and son as enduring symbols of resistance.

The rally was led by Jamaat-i-Islami AJK emir Dr Muhammad Mushtaq, PHJK Chairman Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, and All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders, including Chaudhry Muhammad Shaheen, Zahid Ashraf and Sheikh Abdul Majid, among others.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Ghazali described Sehrai and his son as “a great example of sacrifice for Islam and freedom” and said Indian “barbarity” could not crush the resistance movement. “Their lifelong struggle and sacrifice will continue to inspire Kashmiris,” he added.

Dr Mushtaq said the people of Jammu and Kashmir would continue their struggle against Indian “repression” until achieving freedom and called on the United Nations (UN) to play a more effective role in resolving the Kashmir dispute.

Speaking at the rally, Sehrai’s nephew, Muhammad Riaz Khan, termed the sacrifices made by his family a “religious and national duty” and paid tribute to all Kashmiri martyrs.

Separately, a seminar titled “Across the Line” was organised by the APHC in collaboration with the Central Press Club (CPC), Muzaffarabad, as part of a series paying tribute to prominent pro-freedom figures in India-held Kashmir.

Addressing the seminar, APHC Secretary General Advocate Parvez Ahmed Shah said such forums were vital for raising awareness and promoting dialogue on the Kashmir issue. He said the APHC was determined to remain focused on advancing the Kashmir cause and stay independent of political processes in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

He alleged that India was attempting to “render the Kashmir movement invisible” by restricting the work of non-governmental organisations and independent media in the occupied territory and urged Kashmiris to resist efforts to marginalise their movement.

 Political analyst Naila Altaf Kayani said arbitrary detention was prohibited under international law, citing Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and argued that laws such as the Public Safety Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act were inconsistent with these standards.

 She also highlighted the role of international organisations in amplifying the voices of affected communities and stressed that detainees were entitled to healthcare in line with the UN-endorsed Nelson Mandela Rules. Referring to the Minnesota Protocol, she underscored the need for transparent investigations into deaths in custody.

 Author Syed Arif Bahar praised Sehrai’s contribution to the pro-freedom movement in India-held Kashmir, describing him as a role model whose dedication to the cause set an example for others.

 “It is the primary responsibility of media institutions in the liberated territory to raise awareness, particularly at a time when media in occupied Kashmir are unable to operate freely,” he said.

 Other speakers, including APHC’s Sheikh Abdul Majid, press club president Sohail Mughal secretary general Shahzad Lolabi, Muhammad Riaz Khan and this scribe, also paid tribute to Sehrai and called for sustained engagement to highlight the Kashmir issue at international forums.

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Two men trapped by sudden surge in Jhelum River rescued

Two men were rescued after being trapped in the Jhelum River due to a sudden surge in water flow on Saturday, as authorities warned of increased risks of flash flooding amid rising temperatures and accelerated snowmelt.

Officials said the ongoing rise in temperature had intensified snowmelt, heightening the risk of abrupt fluctuations in the flow of rivers and streams.

In this context, a sudden increase in river discharge was recorded at Chakothi between 12pm and 1pm, reportedly due to the possible opening of spillways or reservoirs by India at Uri in India-held Kashmir.

The abrupt release of water triggered a sharp surge in the river between 1pm and 2pm, trapping two men who were fishing on a river island in Tandali, some 20 kilometres from here along the Jhelum Valley Road.

Upon receiving information, Rescue 1122 launched a timely operation and, after a difficult effort, safely retrieved both men from the river. They were later handed over to the police.

Director General of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and Rescue 1122, Saeedur Rehman Qureshi, urged citizens to exercise extreme caution, warning that the prevailing weather conditions — marked by rapid snowmelt and unusual temperature fluctuations — posed a serious risk of sudden flooding in rivers and streams.

He advised people to avoid going near rivers, fishing, or engaging in unnecessary activities in such areas.

“Without public cooperation, it is difficult for institutions to ensure the safety of life and property,” he said, urging citizens to strictly follow safety advisories issued by the authorities, particularly in view of possible rainfall and further weather changes in the coming days, to avert any untoward incidents.

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AJK election body vows to ensure accuracy in voter lists

 

Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Saturday directed authorities to ensure timely correction of errors in preliminary electoral rolls, stressing that accurate voter lists were essential for transparent elections.

He was chairing a meeting held to review issues and discrepancies that surfaced after the publication of the preliminary electoral rolls.

The meeting was attended by Election Commission member Syed Nazeerul Hassan Gillani, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR) Sardar Muhammad Zafar, Secretary Election Commission Raja Muhammad Shakeel, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and other officials.

The secretary election commission briefed participants on errors in the preliminary rolls, complaints about missing voters and other related matters.

Mr Mughal stressed the need to ensure accuracy, transparency and prompt rectification of flaws so that all eligible voters could be included in the final lists. He said the preliminary rolls were provisional and not final, and their shortcomings would be addressed within the stipulated timeframe with the administration’s support.

During the meeting, commissioners and deputy commissioners highlighted errors in their respective districts and proposed measures for correction.

It was decided that electoral rolls used in the 2022 local government elections would serve as the baseline for inclusion and exclusion of voters, and that no voter would be registered outside their respective ward.

The meeting decided that errors in the preliminary lists would be corrected on an emergency basis, with revision work to be carried out at all divisional headquarters in collaboration with the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). The election commission will provide the necessary data, while its district-level officers will assist the administration in removing discrepancies.

Participants also stressed the need to raise public awareness about the revision process and the procedure for filing objections so that citizens could ensure correction of their information within the stipulated period.

Mr Mughal reiterated that conducting free and fair elections remained the commission’s top priority, and directed officials to ensure transparency, impartiality and facilitation of the public in the electoral process by utilising all available resources.

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PTI aspirants in Lachhrat oppose ticket for newcomer

 

As many as 12 aspirants, including six members of the District Council Muzaffarabad, on Saturday urged the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leadership to award the party ticket for the suburban Lachhrat constituency (LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II) to any one of them, assuring full support from all others. 

Speaking at a press conference, they warned that awarding the ticket to a newcomer would cause “irreparable damage” to the party in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). 

Among those present were PTI regional information secretary and district president Syed Azhar Gillani, District Council members Mir Iftikhar (Panjgran), Mir Naseer Gillani (Nura Seri), Syed Fayaz Gillani (Hotrerhi), Shaukat Kazmi (Nauseri Nosadda), Yasir Safeer Mughal (Chhatar Domel), Chaudhry Asif Yaqoob (Panjkote), local council members Umar Mughal and Mahtab Mughal, and Youth Wing senior vice president Mir Waleed. 

Also present were PTI ticket aspirants Ansar Pirzada, Khawaja Shafique and Imran Khurshid from Jhelum Valley, Neelum Valley and Muzaffarabad city, respectively. 

The speakers said the press conference pertained specifically to the Lachhrat constituency and alleged attempts to divide the party by securing a ticket for a new candidate through financial influence, vowing to resist such efforts. They reiterated that the eventual nominee among the 12 would enjoy unanimous support. 

Though no name was mentioned, their remarks appeared to be directed at Engr Mir Iftikhar Hussain, a recent entrant to PTI who is also seeking the party ticket from the constituency. 

Recalling past performance, they said the PTI candidate had secured around 23,000 votes in the 2021 general elections, but delays in ticket allocation had affected the outcome. In contrast, they said, the party performed strongly in local government elections, winning district council seats in six of 10 union councils and losing the remaining four by narrow margins, while securing chairmanships across all union councils.

They asserted that PTI would actively participate in the upcoming elections in AJK and warned that any attempt to obstruct the process or deny registration would be challenged legally. 

“Whatever the circumstances, we will take full part in the elections to advance Imran Khan’s vision,” they said. 

Responding to questions, they said they did not require any certificate of patriotism, adding that Imran Khan had always referred to the Pakistan Army as “his army”, and that groups involved in negative activities should be banned. They maintained that Imran Khan was fighting for the rights of 230 million Pakistanis and that PTI would approach voters on the basis of performance. 

They also said PTI had supported the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) for public rights, but alleged that it, like PTI, faced obstacles when it mobilised. 

On the occasion, Mr Shafique said flawed strategy was costing PTI in Neelum district, with many local representatives and workers switching parties. Mr Khurshid alleged that the party had suffered not only in Muzaffarabad city due to its own lawmaker but that workers in Lachhrat were also being sidelined, urging the leadership to take notice. 

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Rathore inaugurates water scheme, announces health, infrastructure projects in Mirpur

 

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Saturday said his government would return to power with greater strength, citing public support and its performance. 

He was speaking at a ceremony in Union Council Kharik on the outskirts of Mirpur, where he inaugurated the Greater Water Supply Scheme, constructed at a cost of Rs235.2 million. The project is expected to provide clean drinking water connections to around 19,000 households.

The prime minister said the government was committed to public welfare and development, adding that efforts were underway to address long-standing issues faced by communities. He also announced the establishment of a dispensary in Kharik.

Referring to development works in the area, he appreciated the role of local leadership in improving infrastructure, particularly road networks, and expressed the government’s resolve to continue development initiatives.

Mr Rathore said the sacrifices of Mirpur’s residents, particularly overseas Kashmiris, would not be forgotten, and assured that the longstanding issue of property rights would be resolved during the current government’s tenure.

He also paid tributes to former AJK president Barrister Sultan Mahmood, saying he had effectively highlighted the Kashmir issue at national and international levels, and his historic services would always be remembered. 

Minister for Physical Planning and Housing Chaudhry Yasir Sultan and government adviser Sardar Fahad Yaqoob also addressed the ceremony.

Later, the prime minister visited the Kashmir Institute of Cardiology (KIC) at the Divisional Headquarters Hospital in Mirpur, where he was briefed by Medical Superintendent Dr Ijaz Ahmed Raja. 

Expressing satisfaction over the hospital’s performance, he announced Rs20 million for strengthening emergency services and said a proposal to upgrade the KIC to a full-fledged hospital would be presented to the cabinet. 

He also approved an increase in the institute’s annual budget from Rs6 million to Rs60 million and directed the provision of modern facilities, including bypass and stent procedures, to make the cath lab fully functional. 

The prime minister ordered expansion of the emergency ward at the DHQ hospital from 12 to 24 beds in view of the increasing patient load and directed construction of a boundary wall to improve security.

He assured that the KIC would be upgraded into a modern cardiac care centre on the pattern of the Muzaffarabad cardiac hospital to provide quality treatment facilities within the region.

The prime minister also paid tribute to the late Haji Muhammad Saleem — a noted social and business figure of Mirpur — for funding the construction of the KIC building from his own resources as a gift to the people of the area.

Among his other engagements, PM Rathore attended a review meeting of development projects in Mirpur division. He also laid the foundation stone of the Divisional Commissioner’s Office building in Mirpur, to be constructed at a cost of Rs100.35 million, and separately, inaugurated the PWD Complex in Mirpur, built at a cost of Rs117.44 million under the Physical Planning and Housing Department.

AJK resolves GST dispute with wheat transport contractor

          The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Food Department on Thursday announced that a longstanding dispute over the deduction of General Sales Tax (GST) from payments to wheat transportation contractors had been resolved after approval by the cabinet. 

According to a press release, during a certification audit for the year 2021-22 by the Accountant General’s Sub-Office in Islamabad, an objection was raised for the first time regarding the non-deduction of GST from the contractors’ bills under the Finance Act 2019. 

Following the objection, the Accountant General’s Office halted payments to contractors, triggering a strike by transporters who maintained that they had not been informed about the imposition of 16pc GST while submitting bids. 

The contractors argued that their tender rates had been quoted after factoring in prevailing costs such as fuel prices, inflation and existing taxes, and that the sudden application of GST made their contracts financially unviable. 

Upon learning about the deduction of GST from their bills, the contractors refused to continue work at the quoted rates and resorted to a strike, following which the then secretary food assured them at a meeting that while the taxes applicable for the remaining period, including GST, would be paid accordingly, the issue of past deductions would be taken up at the government level for resolution, the press release said. 

It added that in March 2023, a high-level meeting headed by the then prime minister decided to defer GST deductions on past payments. It was further decided that an appropriate procedure would be adopted for the formal settlement of the issue. Contractors were informed that GST would be applicable to future contracts. 

According to the press release, subsequent tenders clearly specified GST provisions, after which contractors submitted fresh bids and deductions began in line with the law. 

Meanwhile, a summary seeking exemption from GST for the period between 2019 and 2022 was approved by the then prime minister, but the absence of a formal notification led contractors to approach the High Court for implementation of the decision. 

Following court directions, the government constituted a committee which reviewed the matter in detail and recommended settlement of the issue under Section 65 of the Finance Act. 

The cabinet endorsed the recommendations in 2025 and, after consultation with the Inland Revenue Department, a formal notification was issued, thereby settling the matter. 

The Food Department said the decision had cleared ambiguities regarding GST applicability and would help ensure smooth payments to contractors and uninterrupted wheat supply across the region.

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