Praises Pakistan’s judicial and legal fraternity for an important role in strengthening Kashmir’s judicial system
Supreme Court Bar Association President Haroon Rashid presenting a shield to Azad Jammu and Kashmir Supreme Court Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan on September 30, 2026. Photo: Express
MUZAFFARABAD:
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan on Wednesday said the bond between Pakistan and Kashmir was indelible and the people identify themselves as Pakistanis first.
Addressing a reception hosted in his honour at the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan, Justice Khan said, “We are Pakistanis first and then Kashmiris.” He added that the slogan of Syed Ali Gilani, “We are Pakistanis, Pakistan is ours”, reflected the sentiment of every Kashmiri.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Khan said, “Standing before my own bar as chief justice of Azad Kashmir after 18 years is an extremely emotional and honourable moment for me.”
Talking about his approach towards judicial reforms, he said he has centred on improving the judicial system through the introduction of institutional reforms since he assumed office as the chief justice.
Justice Khan attributed the disposal of cases from 2025-26 before the AJK Supreme Court to the collective efforts of the entire judicial team.
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He also praised Pakistan’s judicial and legal fraternity for what he described as an important role in the establishment and strengthening of Kashmir’s judicial system.
“Longstanding and strong ties have existed between the legal communities and judiciaries of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir,” he highlighted further.
The AJK chief justice also said bar associations and lawyers across Pakistan always extended respect and affection to the people and judiciary of AJK.
The chief justice acknowledged the support extended by bar associations in Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Karachi and the High Court Bar, among others, saying they had consistently shown respect and affection towards him.
He said lawyers from the Supreme Court and high courts of Pakistan should be given opportunities to appear before the superior courts of AJK to further strengthen professional links between the two legal communities.
Justice Khan stressed that judges and lawyers had complementary roles in the administration of justice, with lawyers assisting judges through legal arguments and guidance.
“Cooperation between the judiciary and lawyers is indispensable for the delivery of justice,” he stressed.
He added that efforts were also underway to organise a similar gathering in Mirpur to further strengthen ties between the bar associations and legal communities of Pakistan and Kashmir.
The AJK top judge noted that people from Azad Kashmir were serving Pakistan in the armed forces, bureaucracy, judiciary, legal profession and other fields.