Pakistan-administered Kashmir High Court Adjourns Hearing on PM Anwar-ul-Haq’s Legitimacy Until May 5

Muzaffarabad: The High Court of Pakistan-administered Kashmir has postponed until May 5 the hearing of a constitutional writ petition challenging the election of Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq.

A divisional bench of the High Court, comprising Justice Syed Shahid Bahar and Justice Sardar Muhammad Ijaz Khan, heard the preliminary arguments in the case titled Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan vs. Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq and others. The petition was filed by former Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan, contesting the legality of Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq’s appointment as Prime Minister.

Representing the petitioner, advocates Sardar Javed Naz and Raja Ayaz Fareed began presenting arguments. However, during the proceedings, the bench remarked that the court would listen to both the petitioner and the Advocate General but emphasized the need for clarity on a key legal point: whether the electoral process can be challenged after the votes have been cast.

The court announced that on May 5, it would deliberate on the admissibility of the constitutional petition—whether or not it meets the criteria for further proceedings.

This hearing had originally been scheduled for April 7, but was postponed due to the retirement of Justice Mian Muhammad Arif, who was leading the previous bench. The petitioner’s legal team then requested the formation of a new bench, which was approved by the Chief Justice. The new bench was subsequently constituted, consisting of Justices Shahid Bahar and Muhammad Ijaz Khan.

On April 16, the court issued notices to all parties to appear. Representing Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq, Advocate Sheikh Atiq ur Rehman submitted a power of attorney and requested additional time to file a formal response. The court granted one day for reply and scheduled the next hearing for April 17 (Thursday).

The case has drawn widespread attention within political and legal circles in the region, as it challenges the legitimacy of the current government in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and could have broader implications for the region’s constitutional framework.