In a significant development, the high court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has removed Sardar Tanveer Ilyas from the post of prime minister due to his disqualification in contempt of court case. Ilyas was summoned to appear before the supreme court and high court of AJK for using threatening language in one of his speeches. During the hearing, the clips featuring the prime minister were played, and Ilyas gave an unconditional apology to the court. However, he was sentenced till the rising of the court.
The AJK premier’s disqualification came after he criticized the stay orders issued by the courts, which were affecting the performance of the government. The superior courts of AJK had separately served notices to Ilyas to explain his position with regard to his derogatory remarks about the superior judiciary in his speeches at public meetings. He had indirectly blamed the judiciary for interfering in the domain of the executive through the grant of stay orders.
The high court of AJK observed that Ilyas had directly threatened the superior judiciary, and the language of his speech at a public meeting was highly derogatory, improper, and indecently worded. The court noted that his previous track record from several months was objectionable, unbecoming, and improper. The judges’ council of the high court had unanimously decided not to leave the matter unattended by shutting its eyes from the contemptuous and derogatory statement of the person who was at the helm of affairs.
After the verdict, Ilyas has ceased to hold the office of the AJK prime minister, and the legislative assembly will have to elect a new premier. PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that respecting the decision of the courts was necessary, and the country cannot be run by destroying the judicial system. He urged Ilyas to apologize and expressed the hope that he would be given relief by the SC.
In conclusion, the disqualification of the AJK premier marks a significant development in the region’s political landscape. It highlights the importance of respecting the decisions of the courts and upholding the dignity and authority of the judiciary. It also serves as a reminder that those in power must be held accountable for their actions and must refrain from making derogatory and threatening remarks about the judiciary or any other constitutional institution.
