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MIRPUR (AJK), Jan 17 (APP):Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Barrister Chaudhry has said that the constitution of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) did not allow any law contrary to the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
Acknowledging the Islamic Ideology Council’s crucial role, the President said that despite its limitations and challenges, the Council had been fulfilling its constitutional duties in the best possible way by bringing existing laws in conformity with Islamic teachings and by promoting Islamic values in the society, said an official handout issued by AJK government.
The AJK President expressed these views while addressing an extraordinary meeting of the Islamic Ideology Council of AJK held in the state metropolis on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Azad Jammu Kashmir, Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan, the handout added.
It continued that besides other members of the council, the AJK President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry attended the meeting as a special guest.
Addressing the meeting, Barrister Sultan said “the Council has not only been providing guidance to the government as per the Islamic shari’ah but also playing a key role in promoting inter-religious harmony in the state”, he remarked.
The credit for elimination of sectarianism in the state, he said, went to the Chairman and members of the council.
He also appreciated the members of the council for their knowledge and deep understanding of religion.
The AJK president said that following the thirteenth amendment in Act 1974, the council has been given the same constitutional status as the Council of Islamic Ideology of Pakistan.
Stressing the need for promoting inter-religious harmony, the president regrettably noted that the menace of mutual discord, lack of unity and consensus and above all sectarianism and its adverse effects had damaged to Muslim cause.
He said that there was a dire need to bring scholars of all sects together to evolve broader consensus and unity, adding “I hope that the Council of Islamic Ideology will continue to play its pivotal role in this regard”.
Barrister Chaudhry on the occasion assured the members of the council that he would play his due role in resolving all issues with the Islamic body including provision of space for office and honorarium for the members.
Chief Justice of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan, who is also Chairman of the Council, thanked the president for attending the session.
Referring to the Interim Constitution Act 1974, justice Khan said that under the act Islam had been declared as the State religion.
“As per the Act no legislation against the Islamic law and teachings can be made or shall be applicable in the State”, he added.
He said that the Islamic Ideology Council was established in 1978 so that the government in the light of its recommendations could legislate in accordance with the teachings of Islam and take practical steps to establish an Islamic society.
The meeting was attended among others by members of the Council including Maulana Sahibzada Pir Muhammad Habib-ur-Rehman Mehboobi, Maulana Saeed Yousuf, Maulana Mufti Muhammad Hussain Chishti, Maulana Muhammad Altaf Hussain Saifi, Maulana Mufti Muhammad Arif, Maulana Qari Muhammad Azam Arif and Mufti Kifayat Hussain Naqvi.