ISLAMABAD (NNP) The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has repealed the controversial presidential ordinance that criminalized peaceful protests, following successful negotiations with the Joint Public Action Committee (JAAC), ARY News reported on Sunday.
The decision came after a complete shutdown was observed across AJK on Thursday, December 5, in response to a call by the Jammu & Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC). The strike led to the closure of schools, markets, and the suspension of public transport, reflecting widespread dissent against the ordinance, which proposed a 7-year jail term for individuals participating in demonstrations.
Civil society organizations and activists had strongly condemned the ordinance, citing it as a violation of constitutional rights, including the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. The law had also raised broader concerns about balancing public order and civil liberties in the region.
The AJK Supreme Court recently suspended the enforcement of the ordinance after admitting appeals that challenged a high court ruling in favor of the law.
Earlier this year, tensions escalated after protests against rising inflation led to violent clashes between police and demonstrators, resulting in three deaths and numerous injuries.
The withdrawal of the ordinance has been widely celebrated as a triumph for civil liberties. JAAC and other advocacy groups have reiterated the need to preserve democratic freedoms in Azad Jammuand Kashmir.