MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 10: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court on Monday directed the government to take disciplinary action against officials responsible for stopping work on its under-construction rest house in Mirpur.
Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed arrived at the apex court on Monday and assured Chief Justice Mohammad Azam Khan that action would be taken by the government.
On Saturday, a police team accompanied by a tehsildar and patwari had stopped the contractor’s men from continuing the construction work.
“The Supreme Court has felt disgraced by the action of the district administration which amounts to interference in its affairs,” said the apex court, in a letter which was sent by its registrar to the AJK secretary law, justice and parliamentary affairs.
The SC directed the government to take disciplinary action against the officials responsible for the stoppage of construction immediately.
“Otherwise the court shall take appropriate action by itself,” it warned.
Interestingly, when the construction work was stopped, Prime Minister Majeed was also in Mirpur. However, on Monday he expressed ignorance of the action.
“I am completely unaware as to when and how work has been halted,” sources quoted him as telling the judges.
However, the prime minister did not give any assurance regarding resumption of the work, the sources said.
Meanwhile, lawyers expressed resentment against the Mirpur administration’s act, terming it an attempt to undermine the respect of the judiciary.
“From day one, the conduct of the present People’s Party government towards the judiciary is prejudiced and contemptuous and the Mirpur incident is its latest example,” said AJK Supreme Court Bar Association president Raza Ali Khan at a press conference.
“The legal fraternity is being forced to come on roads to voice its indignation against such unwarranted and rather condemnable actions,” he added.
Mr Khan later told Dawn that he would file a petition with the High Court against this act on Tuesday.
A protest was also held in Mirpur under the aegis of District Bar Association.— Staff Correspondent