MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Wednesday referred a far-reaching ordinance amending the region’s accountability law to a select committee amid an opposition walkout after heated exchanges over alleged alterations to the Annual Development Programme (ADP).

The session, presided over by Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, was held on the opposition’s requisition after an earlier sitting, also requisitioned by it, was prorogued sine die by the chair despite “pending business”.

Tensions flared during question hour when Chaudhry Anwarul Haq objected that a written reply to his short-notice question had been furnished only to him at the eleventh hour instead of being tabled for all lawmakers.

He said that only the Assembly had the authority to alter names or status of ADP projects and questioned how 500 kilometres of roads approved under a block provision were later classified as major and link roads.

Communications and Works Minister Sardar Zia Qamar denied any irregularity, saying the government had merely implemented announcements made during Mr Haq’s tenure as prime minister and that inter-district roads qualified as major roads.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2026