MUZAFFARABAD: A constitutional petition was filed in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) High Court on Saturday, seeking directions for holding the election to the office of president within the timeframe stipulated in the Constitution.

The petition was jointly filed by Raja Zulqurnain Abid and Syed Fakher Kazmi, both advocates of the High Court and members of the Central Bar As­­sociation Muzaffarabad, under Article 44 of the AJK’s Interim Constitution, 1974, through their counsel, Syed Zulqarnain Raza Naqvi.

The AJK Legislative As­­sembly Speaker, Chief El­­ection Commissioner (CEC), Election Commis­sion, and secretaries of the Law and Services and General Administration departments were arrayed by the petitioners as respondents.

The office of the AJK president fell vacant on January 31, 2026, following the demise of Barrister Sultan Mehmood.

Under Article 9 of the Interim Constitution, the Speaker is required to perform the functions of the president and ensure that an election to the office is held within 30 days of the vacancy.

The petitioners contended that despite the constitutional requirem­ent, no election had been conducted within the stipulated period. Court sources said that the petition is likely to be taken up on Monday (tomorrow).

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2026