Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry has directed the AJK government to “immediately” withdraw the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance and to release all individuals detained under it.

A shutter-down and wheel-jam strike against the controversial presidential ordinance in the region continued for the third day on Sunday, leading to shortages of food supplies in the city of Bagh and surrounding areas.

After the AJK protests against ending the subsidy, the region’s government passed the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance 2024. Officials have maintained that the law was not intended for political purposes but to ensure the smooth functioning of daily life, protect citizens and facilitate ease in their lives.

The ordinance requires that permission be obtained from the deputy commissioner at least one week prior to any protest or rally. It imposes a ban on protests organised by any unregistered party or organisation.

This ordinance was challenged in the AJK High Court by three members of the Central Bar Association Muzaffarabad and the AJK Bar Council. But the high court rejected their petitions, prompting the petitioners to file an appeal in the region’s Supreme Court to overturn the high court’s decision.

Last week, the AJK SC suspended the enforcement of the 2024 ordinance concerning peaceful protests and public order, accepting two appeals against the high court’s decision. Despite this, the committee announced that it would continue its protests until the ordinance was revoked.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee, a body of traders and locals has maintained that protests were aimed at opposing a controversial presidential ordinance intended to curb public dissent.

Large crowds marched towards entry points in a show of solidarity against the ordinance.

Internal access points in Azad Kashmir, including Barar Kot, Kohala Hoolar, and Azad Patan, were blocked, with the committee continuing their protests despite the harsh cold.

Participants in the long march have announced that if their demands are not met, they would surround the legislative assembly.

The committee has warned that citizens from across the region would stage a long march towards Muzaffarabad if the controversial ordinance was not revoked.

Convoys from the Neelum and Jhelum valleys’ districts have already reached the region’s capital, led by Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a Joint Public Action Committee member.

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Meanwhile, negotiations have taken place between the government-formed committee and the committee leaders, however, a deadlock remains.

The committee has also demanded the “immediate release” of individuals arrested under the said law.

Ministers have maintained that negotiations were ongoing and that a resolution was expected soon.

AJK president writes to PM Haq

On Sunday night, AJK President Chaudhry instructed Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, via a letter, to withdraw the controversial ordinance and to release all detained activists immediately.

Political parties within the ruling coalition, including the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, have also rejected the ordinance, declaring it contrary to fundamental human rights.

Sources stated the AJK government has initiated procedural steps to revoke the ordinance, with an announcement expected to be made either tonight or tomorrow (Sunday) morning.

Moreover, a PPP parliamentary meeting in Karachi, chaired by Faryal Talpur, addressed the issue, stating that the “presidential ordinance is against the aspirations of the people of AJK and called for the government to withdraw it.”