MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Wednesday unanimously condemned recent Indian military aggression, including attacks on civilians and mosques in the liberated territory.

Presided over by Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, the Assembly expressed strong support for Pakistan’s Armed Forces and lauded their successful Operation Bunyanul Marsoos. The house also condemned India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and its illegal actions against Kashmiris abroad.

The assembly called on the international community and the United Nations to ensure a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute based on UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. It further expressed gratitude for diplomatic support from friendly countries and reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Earlier, the house was informed that recruitment against over 500 vacant posts in the Higher Education Department had been stalled due to a stay order by a court of law, despite requisitions being sent to the Public Service Commission.

In response to a query from an opposition lawmaker, the Higher Education Minister Zaffar Iqbal Malik said a subsequent advertisement for ad-hoc appointments was also stayed by the court.

To avoid disruption in education in remote areas, the government had issued a contract-based appointment advertisement modeled on Punjab’s system, he said, adding, these contract appointments would be non-transferable. Mr Malik clarified that under the contract policy applications were invited from eligible male and female residents of Jammu and Kashmir, including Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, Mangla Dam affectees, and post-1989 refugees, for lecturer B-17 posts in institutions near the Line of Control and other remote areas.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2025