Rajouri-Poonch leaders unite to demand National Law University in Pir Panjal

Rajouri, Feb 1: Leaders, civil society members and stakeholders from the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch on Sunday resolved to launch a coordinated democratic movement to press for the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in the Pir Panjal region, citing long-pending educational and developmental aspirations of the area.

A significant meeting of political leaders, social activists, academicians, trade union representatives, and student leaders from Rajouri and Poonch was held on Sunday at Dr Raj Kumar Thappa Memorial Conference Hall of Dak Bungalow, Rajouri, under the banner of the Peer Panjal Joint Action Committee for National Law University.

The meeting unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the establishment of a National Law University (NLU) in the Peer Panjal region, recognizing the urgent need to expand access to quality legal education and strengthen the justice delivery system in this historically underserved area beside pushing this border region on national map.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Former Minister Chowdhary Zulfiqar Ali briefed the media on the objectives of the Joint Action Committee and highlighted the long-pending educational and developmental aspirations of the Pir Panjal region.

He emphasised that the demand for an NLU is rooted in equity, justice, and inclusive growth.

On the occasion, DDC Chairman Rajouri Naseem Liaqat formally read out the resolution, reiterating that the Joint Action Committee, initially constituted with 20 working members, strongly recommends the establishment of an NLU in Peer Panjal.

He stated that the proposed university should function as a centre of excellence in legal education, research, and policy studies, with special focus on constitutional values, human rights, access to justice, environmental protection, tribal and border area issues, and alternative dispute resolution.

The participants emphasised that setting up an NLU in Peer Panjal will promote educational equity, create academic and professional opportunities for local youth, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region through research, employment generation, and institutional growth.

Through the resolution, the gathering urged the concerned authorities at the Union Territory and national levels to take immediate steps for allocation of land, funding, and statutory approvals so that this institution becomes a reality at the earliest.

The meeting was chaired by DDC Chairman Rajouri Naseem Liaqat and attended by Former Minister Chowdhary Zulfiqar Ali, noted academician and writer Khurshid Bismil, DDC Thanamandi Rajouri Abdul Quyoom Mir, DDC Rajouri Sain Abdul Rashid, DDC Mankote Chowdhary Imran Zaffar, DDC Surankote Sohail Malik, DDC Surankote Shahnawaz Chowdhary,

BJP leader Dinesh Sharma, BJP leader Ravinder Gupta, PDP leader Tazeem Dar, BJP leader and Former Chairman MC Rajouri Mohammad Arif, PDP leader Guftar Chowdhary, Former Sarpanch Zaheer Ahmed, Sayeed Jatt, Asif Mir, Bilal Ahmed, Waqar Ahmed, Ajaz Chowdhary and many others.

Addressing the gathering, the leaders reaffirmed their collective resolve to fight for the constitutional and developmental rights of the Pir Panjal region and stated that a coordinated democratic movement will be launched until the demand for a National Law University is fulfilled.

The resolution was adopted with firm belief that an NLU in Peer Panjal will emerge as a transformative institution, strengthening the rule of law and advancing legal scholarship while opening new avenues of progress for the region.

The speakers also justified the establishment of NLU in Pir Panjal being it a central location and at equal distance to both Kashmir as well as Jammu and having unmatched weather condition as well as proper road connectivity.