rki.news

Altaf Hamid Rao.
MIRPUR ( AJK): July 1st : “A deeply unsettling moral scandal involving a Deputy Secretary and a couple of others belonging to AJK PM secretariat at AJK ‘s capital city of Muzaffarabad has sent shockwaves among all spheres of life in the civil society and other sensible quarters of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Advocate Javaid Najam-us-Saqib, President of the AJK Supreme Court Bar Association, has expressed grave concern, stating that this is “not just the failure of an individual, but a reflection of collective moral decay.”

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, he said “when influential officers abuse their positions to exploit young female students with false promises of employment, it goes beyond misconduct — it is a breach of public trust and an assault on our constitutional, educational, and family systems”, he observed.

In a sharp indictment of the system, he asked, “When the gardener himself is looting the garden, who will protect the innocent students meant to bloom under his care?”

Advocate Saqib demanded a high level transparent and impartial investigation, led either by a serving or retired judge of the superior judiciary or DIG-rank officer of proven integrity or an independent, empowered investigative board, to ensure that no political or administrative influence can derail justice.

He stressed saying “If a larger network or group is found to be involved, it must be exposed and dismantled immediately.”

Warning against any attempt to suppress the issue or shield those complicit, he added:

Saqib further said “If this case is brushed under the rug or accomplices are given safe passage, it will deepen parents’ fears and could lead to a dangerous decline in girls’ access to education.”

Calling for collective moral awakening, he urged that “This is no time for silence. If educational institutions cease to be centers of character-building, the downfall of society is inevitable. We must protect the dignity and safety of our daughters with urgent and united action.”

He also called upon the AJK government to tighten legal provisions, ensuring swift and exemplary punishment for such offenders, to restore public confidence, particularly among the younger generation.

The President of the Supreme Court Bar Association concluded saying that since It was now crystal clear that several responsible officers might be involved, the investigation must be supervised by a man of unquestionable credibility, belonging to judiciary or the civil administration.

“The legal fraternity stands ready to fulfill its constitutional and ethical duty if impartial justice is denied”, he warned.