A new ordinance in Pakistan-administered Jammu Kashmir (AJK) is stirring up widespread controversy, sparking fierce debate over citizens' rights to protest and gather. The main issue centers around Article 19 of the AJK Constitution, which promises freedom of expression and press—but with these new restrictions, many fear that promise may be slipping away. Now, only registered political, religious, and social organizations are allowed to organize protests and rallies, leaving citizens questioning whether their voices are truly free.
Approved by AJK President, Barrister Sultan Mahmood, the ordinance requires that anyone wanting to organize a public gathering must first register their organization. This means that regular people wanting to advocate for change or express their concerns may have to navigate a lengthy bureaucratic process just to be heard. And the penalties are steep: breaking the law could lead to up to seven years in prison. Under the new rules, groups planning any public event must submit detailed applications to the Deputy Commissioner at least seven days in advance. This includes specifics like the names of coordinators and participants, along with identification copies, location, and timing. The Deputy Commissioner holds the authority to approve or deny these applications based on their assessment of potential risks to public safety or order, further raising questions about who controls the right to free assembly.
The public response has been swift and strong. Many worry that this law is a blow to basic freedoms, with critics arguing that these restrictions could effectively silence grassroots activists and everyday citizens. With gatherings limited to registered groups, the ordinance creates significant obstacles for spontaneous demonstrations and local activism, leaving many wondering if AJK democratic rights are now just words on paper. Even more troubling to some, the ordinance gives the Deputy Commissioner the power to designate certain areas as “red zones” or “high-security zones” where protests are completely off-limits. These zones could theoretically be created anywhere and for any reason, all under the banner of “public safety” or “national security,” sparking concerns about unchecked power and selective enforcement that could stifle dissent.
The District Bar Association of Bagh isn’t staying silent. On November 1, 2024, the Association, led by President Raja Mahmood Ahmed, held an emergency meeting to condemn the ordinance. The members were vocal, expressing anger over what they see as an unconstitutional limit on freedom of expression and an infringement on citizens’ fundamental rights. They’ve demanded the immediate withdrawal of the ordinance and warned that they are prepared to take action. They’ve pledged to consult with bar associations and the bar council across Azad Kashmir to plan their next steps, with a clear message: they won’t recognize any law that violates fundamental human rights.
