Lawyers’ role imperative for peaceful and legitimate environment: Haider

MIRPUR (AJK): Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan Thursday said that the legal fraternity is the important segment of the society and their role for strengthening the peaceful and legitimate environment in the country is inevitable in the larger national interests. Prime Minister expressed these views while addressing the oath taking ceremony of Supreme Court Bar Association on Thursday.

Newly elected President Supreme Court Bar Association Chaudhary Shabbir Ahmed, Ex. President Syed Nishat Kazmi, Amjad Ali Khan advocate also addressed the event.

Prime Minister stated that leadership of Pakistan besides AJK belongs to lawyer’s community and their role for the independence of Pakistan was remarkable.

He said, “Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, K. H Khurshid, Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas all were greatest lawyers of their period”.

Prime Minister exhorted that lawyers in the State should raise their voice against the human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir, saying that provision of justice in any society is incomplete without the role of lawyers.

He said that every Kashmiri living on both sides of Line of Control admire the sacrifices of Maqbool Butt, Afzal Guru, Burhan Muzaffar Wani and several other martyrs as they sacrificed their lives only for freedom.

Talking about Pakistan role for freedom movement, PM AJK said, “Pakistan is the only lawyer for Kashmiris’ on international forums and politically stable and strong Pakistan can prove better for Kashmir freedom of movement.”

Prime Minister reiterated that lawyers in the State should inform international communities besides human rights organizations about Indian atrocities and deteriorating human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.

Prime Minister expressed that incumbent government has initiated measures for transparency in judicial system including establishment of Sharia Appellate Court.

Further, he said, “we have placed merit through Public Service Commission and inductions through third party for transparency in recruitment.”

Prime Minister Azad Kashmir voiced that freedom movement of Kashmir has reached to a delicate point, “we need unity and consensus at this time, Pakistan's leadership has always adopted strong stance to highlight Kashmir issue internationally” he said.

He maintained that we are proud of our lawyers and benches, adding that the lack of judges’ appointment in courts including all other issues of the lawyers will be resolved on priority basis.

He exhorted that lawyers should cooperate with us for the protection of the people and their rights.