MIRPUR (AJK) - Political leadership and civil society of the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) unanimously demanded at a Round Table Conference organised by the Centre for Peace and Development reform (CPDR) to revert back to constitutional Act 1970 which empowers AJK Legislative Assembly and government unlike present constitution which gives more powers to AJK Council, headed by Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The participants of the moot sought drastic reduction in executive powers which are entrusted in Azad and Jammu Kashmir Council. The conference participants demanded judicial reforms, Independent Election Commission and autonomous government in the pattern of 18 and 19 constitutional amendments in 1973’s constitution of Pakistan.
The leaders of six major parties and a number of former judges and civil society activist participated in the conference including ruling party. Former president and prime minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, former president Major Gen (r) Sardar Anwar Khan, former prime minister and PML-N leader Raja Farooq Haider, member Assembly Dr Najeeb Naqi, Jamaat-e-Islami AJK Chief Abdul Rashid Turabi, President People’s Party Azad Kashmir Sardar Khalid Ibrahim, sitting minister and PPP leader Farzana Yaqoob, former minister Khawaja Farooq Ahmad, leader of Muslim Conference Sardar Abdul Razzaq Khan, PPP leader Nabila Irshad, Justice (r) Basharat Sheikh Chairman CPDR Tariq Masud, President CPDR Zulfiqar Abbasi, analyst Ershad Mahmud, former Ambassador Arif Kamal and Ayesha Khan from Gilgit-Baltistan addressed to the conference.
These leaders agreed that Azad Jammu Kashmir should be either dissolved or its powers should be drastically reduced to make AJK government and assembly powerful. A new mechanism should be devised to deal matters related with government of Pakistan.
Conference recommended that there is a dire need to initiate a serious debate on AJK constitutional status and reforms should be brought in the judicial system like Pakistan by constituting a judicial Commission for the appointments of judges.
Conference has recommended that the procedure of appointment of the Election Commissioner should be changed for independent Election Commission in this regard a committee consisting of the government and opposition members should be appointed to nominate the Election Commissioner with consensus.
Former president of AJK Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan said that it is a better reality the Act 1974 has failed to provide efficient governance. He confessed that legislators have not understanding of constitutional matters due to lack of interest and poor academic background in AJK. Therefore, civil society activists such as former judges, lawyers and organization like CPDR should work together to frame new constitution.
He said that under the eighteenth constitutional amendment the number of ministers has been kept 11 percent in Pakistan while in government has made minister of advisor almost entire parliamentary party. He recommended that number of ministers in AJK also should be with the same percentage.
Meanwhile former president Major Gen (r) Muhammad Anwar Khan said that there is dire need of amendment in Act 1974 and in this regard all politicians have to play their due role. Analyst Ershad Mahmud suggested that AJK leadership have to make common minimum agenda at local level to initiate a serious dialogue with the political and military leadership of Pakistan to bring changes in the existing constitutional and administrative setup. 
Former Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider maintained that Act 1974 is a document of slavery which was drafted to snatch powers of AJK. No government can ever be able to provide efficient governance until the Azad Jammu Kashmir Council is not abolished. Sardar Khalid Ibrahim khan addressing to the conference said that people of AJK were given constitution due to their restless struggle in late 1960s.
He agreed with other speakers to make amendments in the present constitution but suggested it needs further brainstorming a broader consensus.