RAWALAKOT: (Azadi Times) – With the onset of Ramadan, residents of Azad Kashmir, particularly in Rawalakot and Poonch districts, are experiencing a sharp rise in inflation. The scarcity of flour from local mills and significant price hikes in essential commodities have added to the citizens’ woes, despite government relief announcements.

According to a survey report by “Dharti,” prices of vegetables, fruits, and other food items have surged by 20 to 30% since the beginning of Ramadan. Common fruits such as bananas, apples, and melons have become more expensive, and the prices of vegetables, especially tomatoes, have more than doubled. The scarcity of flour has been attributed to disruptions in wheat supply caused by a contractors’ strike, which, despite ending after government negotiations, has yet to see the restoration of flour supply. It may take up to two more days for normal supply to resume.

The Azad Kashmir government had announced relief measures for flour during Ramadan, but citizens have yet to see any tangible benefits. In May, administrative officers conducted city visits to monitor prices but lacked a market price formula to accurately assess the artificial price hikes.

Local residents and market observers have called on the administration to take all necessary steps to curb hoarding and control the artificial inflation of prices. There is a growing demand for effective measures to ensure that essential commodities remain affordable during the holy month, ensuring that citizens are not unduly burdened during a time meant for reflection and community support.

MUZAFFARABAD: (Azadi Times) – On the historic occasion of Pakistan Day, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Tanvir Ilyas Khan, and the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Barrister Khalid Khurshid, inaugurated the Gilgit-Muzaffarabad Bus Service. This initiative aims to restore and strengthen the historical connections between the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The inauguration ceremony was held at the New Prime Minister House in Muzaffarabad, with Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid as the chief guest. The event was attended by prominent officials including Gilgit-Baltistan Interior Minister Shamsul Haque, various ministers from the Azad Kashmir government, and a large number of government officials, lawyers, and civil society members.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Sardar Tanvir Ilyas Khan highlighted the significance of Pakistan Day, recalling the passing of the Pakistan Resolution in 1940. He emphasized the importance of the new bus service in restoring ties between the two regions, enhancing cultural, social, and economic linkages, and boosting industry and tourism.

Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid echoed these sentiments, noting that the bus service will reduce distances and promote harmony between the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. He assured that the government would provide all necessary facilities to visitors from Azad Kashmir.

The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir announced several initiatives to foster collaboration between the regions, including increased quotas for Gilgit-Baltistan students in Azad Kashmir’s educational institutions, mutual investment in transport companies, and the establishment of a special economic zone. He also proposed the introduction of yaks, found only in Gilgit-Baltistan, to the upper areas of Azad Kashmir for farming.

The event also saw an exchange of traditional gifts, with the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan presenting a Karvaati Jabba and Cap to the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir. Both leaders expressed hope that this renewed connection would be sustained by future generations, benefiting both regions through shared experiences and resources.

Parliamentary Secretary Transport Azad Kashmir Javed Butt, in his address, praised the efforts of both leaders in launching the bus service. Secretary Transport Authority Chaudhry Mukhtar Ahmad confirmed that all necessary arrangements had been made to ensure the success of the Gilgit-Muzaffarabad bus service, which is expected to strengthen ties and promote mutual cultural understanding between the regions.

Muzaffarabad (Azadi Times) March 20, 2023 – The High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has constituted a full court bench to hear a writ petition filed regarding the registration of 08 political parties established in Azad Kashmir. The court has issued notices to the parties involved, and the next date of hearing has been fixed for 29th March.

The writ petition was filed in the name of the Election Commissioner of Azad Kashmir by Councilors Wahidashraf, Rizwan-ur-Rashid Mughal, Zahoor Ahmed, Abdul Qayyum, Malik Inayat Hussain, etc., who were elected on party tickets in the recent local elections.

The preliminary hearing of the writ petition took place in a Divisional Bench, presided over by Chief Justice of the High Court, Justice Raja Sadaqat, and Justice Sardar Muhammad Ejaz. Sardar Tahir Anwar Advocate, Syed Zulqarnain Naqvi Advocate, Khawaja Junaid Pandit Advocate, Raja Zarif Hussain Khan Advocate, and others appeared in the High Court on behalf of their respective parties.

During the hearing, Sardar Tahir Anwar Advocate raised concerns about the registration of these political parties under the Political Parties Act, stating that it is doubtful. He argued that it is not competent to send notices to these councilors, as the records of the political parties were taken into custody by the Election Commission.

The court approved the writ for regular hearing, during which three points will be raised:
1. Whether the political parties that sent notices to their elected councilors are registered under the constitution and the law, and whether they were eligible to send notices.
2. The status of the elected councilors who were elected on the ticket of these parties and whether they will send references to the Election Commission in this regard, and if the references are legally valid.
3. Notices have been issued to the presidents and general secretaries of the parliamentary parties to present their stand by themselves or through a lawyer.

Among the political parties involved are Pakistan Muslim League-N Azad Kashmir, Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Kashmir, All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, MQM Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Party, Jamiat Ulema Islam Jammu Kashmir, and Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir.

It should be noted that the Political Parties Act, under which political parties are registered, specifies punishments for wrong registration. Therefore, it is necessary that the person registering the political party should be a state subject. Additionally, the Act fixes the tenure of office bearers for three years.