PM Shehbaz calls on “peace” while JAAC’s demonstrations become fatal in AJK

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed a profound concern about the climbing of violence in Azad Jammu-et-Cachemire (AJK), where at least nine people, including three police officers, were killed in the midst of current demonstrations carried out by the constitutional reforms and governance of Jammu-Cachemire (JAAC / AAC).

The Prime Minister launched an appeal to citizens to remain peaceful, stressing that, although “peaceful protest is the constitutional and democratic law of each citizen, the demonstrators must avoid harming public order”.

He ordered the law enforcement organizations to act with patience and restraint, ensuring that public feelings are respected and that unnecessary force is avoided.

Read: AJK is reduced as 9 killed for violence against protest

“The provoking of people through civilian groups only leads to anarchy and unnecessary tragedy,” said the Prime Minister, expressing sorrow about loss of lives.

Growing tensions and government response

AJK Prime Minister Chadhry Anwarul Haq has extended an open invitation to JAAC management for renewed talks.

He recognized that JAAC had initially announced peaceful demonstrations, but said that the situation had “taken a dangerous turn”.

“Proving people through civilian groups only leads to anarchy and a unnecessary tragedy. Taking a life is like taking the life of all humanity. We must avoid a path that brings more blood effutes,” said Prime Minister Haq, expressing sorrow for loss of lives.

According to AJK government sources, six civilians and three police officers were killed during the clashes, with 172 injured police officers, including 12, and 50 wounded civilians.

The victims among the police included the gendarme Khurshid and the gendarme Jameel of Bagh and the gendarme Tahir Rafi of Muzaffarabad.

The armed members of the JAAC would have opened fire to the police in Dhir Kot, while confrontations also occurred between the demonstrators and the supporters of the Muslim conference in power.

The JAAC strike and demonstrations have paralyzed life through Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Poonch, Neelum, Bhimber and Palandari, with closed markets, blocked roads and internet services and largely suspended telecommunications. The demonstrators would have sealed all the entry points connecting the cashmere to Pakistan.

JAAC presented a charter of 38 requests, in particular the abolition of the advantages for the ruling elites, the abolition of 12 seats of the assembly reserved for refugees, free and uniform education, free health care, legal reforms, the establishment of an international airport and the withdrawal of the quota system.

Federal governments and AJK had agreed 90% of these requests in previous negotiations, but dispute the remaining problems – in particular the seats of the Refugee Assembly and the number of ministers – have referred to constitutional amendments, causing renewed agitation.

To continue a peaceful resolution, Prime Minister Shehbaz has widened the government’s negotiation committee to include Senator Rana Sanaullah, Federal Ministers Sardar Yousaf and Ahsan Iqbal, former president of AJK Masood Khan and Qamar Zaman Kaira.

The Committee was responsible for carrying out Muzaffarabad immediately, developing urgent and sustainable solutions and subject recommendations to the PM office without delay.

Find out more: Ajk strike constitutional requests kill one, the internet remains suspended

Prime Minister Shehbaz also announced that he would personally supervise the negotiation process on his return.

He called on JAAC leaders to cooperate with the government team, noting that “the government is ready to respond to all legitimate requests”.

Meanwhile, the authorities urged the public not to be misleading by propaganda or the false news traveling on social networks. The security forces promised legal action against anyone involved in riots or vandalism. Federal governments and AJK continue to call dialogue to defuse tensions and restore normality in the region.