BADC Demands National Law University in Poonch
17/01/2026
Jammu, January 17 (KIP)-Amid the ongoing controversy over the location of the proposed National Law University (NLU) in J & K, the Jammu and Kashmir Border Area Development Conference (JK_BADC) has demanded that the university be established in Poonch, stating that border districts must be given priority in higher education.
Dr. Shazad Ahmed Malik, Chairman JK_BADC and former Vice Chancellor said that the decision to set up a National Law University in Jammu and Kashmir is a welcome step. However, he said that locating the university in a border district like Poonch would ensure fair and balanced development.
He stated that Poonch has remained backward for many years due to its border location, difficult terrain, and frequent ceasefire violations. Dr Shazad stated that establishing a National Law University in Poonch would benefit students from border and tribal areas and would also help in generating employment, improving infrastructure, and strengthening legal awareness in the region.
The JKBADC Chairman observed that concentrating national institutions only in developed cities goes against the idea of balanced development. He further added that it is unfortunate that even after more than seven decades of independence, district Poonch does not have a single university.
JK_BADC appealed to the Government of India, the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to seriously consider Poonch as the site for the proposed National Law University.