Refugees equal citizens under Constitution, AJK PM tells Legislative Assembly

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Tuesday told the Legislative Assembly that refugees from occupied Jammu and Kashmir residing in Pakistan were equal citizens of the State under the Constitution and all their rights remained intact.

Responding to a point of order raised by former finance minister and Public Accounts Committee chairman Abdul Majid Khan over “non-release of development funds for refugee lawmakers,” the prime minister said refugee members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) retained their constitutional right to vote and the government had no intention of depriving them of funds.

He said matters relating to cabinet strength and funds had been deferred under a mutual understanding agreement signed by representatives of the governments of Pakistan and AJK as well as the Joint Awami Action Committee. 

“Refugees are an inseparable part of the political structure and it is due to their votes that I am holding the office of prime minister. It is not correct to say they are being deprived of ministries; this is only a matter of mutual understanding,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Khan questioned the constitutional and legal status of 12 refugee seats in the wake of a High Court judgment on local bodies, and sought clarification on the withholding of funds and the legal standing of the “understanding agreement” with the JAAC.

Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar ruled that no speech was allowed on a point of order and advised Mr Khan to table a resolution instead.

Mr Khan argued that following judicial clarification of Article 22 of the AJK Constitution there was no ambiguity regarding refugee seats or justification for withholding funds. He recalled historical constitutional arrangements and amendments and demanded assurance of protection of constitutional rights. 

In response, the prime minister said the High Court judgment on local bodies was confined to the distribution of funds and did not affect the constitutional status of refugee seats, which would remain intact until altered by the assembly. 

He said if PML-N leader Raja Farooq Haider secured any relaxation from Islamabad, the government was ready to include refugee members in the cabinet. 

The prime minister said the PPP believed in a people-friendly government, adding that honorary designations and coordinators appointed by it were actively confronting political opponents in the field. 

Law Minister Mian Abdul Waheed said the court ruling contained no contradiction and the matter remained sub judice. He added that several refugee MLAs were also serving as committee chairpersons.

He termed lengthy speeches “based on assumptions” inappropriate, after which the speaker disallowed further discussion. 

Mr Khan attempted to speak again but was not allowed, following which he and MLA Asim Sharif Butt staged a walkout. Minister Qasim Majeed later tried to persuade them to return, but they did not rejoin the proceedings.

Earlier, on the demand of Mr Haider, the law minister announced a special session of the assembly in May to highlight Indian atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and express solidarity with its people.

The law minister also introduced three bills related to education, tourism promotion and the Neelum Valley Development Board, which were referred to relevant committees. A special committee was also formed on the AJK Public Sector Universities Act 2024. 

At the outset, the speaker administered oath to PTI’s Chaudhry Maqbool Gujar as an MLA in line with a Supreme Court decision in his favour.

    Tariq Naqash