ISLAMABAD:
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police on Saturday said they arrested around 72 people allegedly affiliated with the Awami Joint Action Committee (JAAC) during operations over the last 18 hours, a day after the government banned the organization under anti-terrorism laws.
The development came after the AJK government banned the JAAC, accusing it of being involved in terrorism, promoting hatred and creating anarchy in the state on the eve of a protest announced for June 9.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday visited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore and discussed the overall law and order and security situation in the country.
The meeting reviewed in detail the prevailing security environment in the country and the measures taken to maintain peace and stability.
Naqvi briefed the Prime Minister on the measures being implemented to ensure law and order and protect citizens across the country.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of close coordination among all relevant institutions and called for a unified strategy to further strengthen law and order and strengthen national security.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace, protecting citizens and ensuring effective cooperation among all security and law enforcement agencies.
In a statement, the AJK Police said the arrests were made as part of efforts to maintain public order and protect the lives and property of citizens.
Police said weapons, communications devices and suspicious documents were recovered during the operation. Authorities also claimed to have seized materials related to plans that could undermine public order, as well as evidence indicating organized protests and violent activities.
The statement further claimed that investigators had found indications of suspicious contacts with foreign individuals and that investigations into the recovered documents were continuing.
According to the police, preliminary evidence suggested that some elements planned to disrupt public order, damage public and private property, influence the electoral process and incite hostility against state institutions through what it called violent and unconstitutional agitation.
Law enforcement agencies were reviewing the recovered documents, digital evidence and other information in accordance with legal requirements, the statement added.
The Inspector General of Police said the state respects peaceful expression of views, constitutional demands and lawful protests.
“However, no individual or group will be allowed to engage in violence, incitement, use of weapons, roadblocks, damage to public property or disrupt the daily lives of citizens,” the police chief was quoted as saying.
The statement said all those arrested will be subject to investigation and legal proceedings under relevant laws.
Calling on the public to remain calm, police urged citizens to avoid rumors and inflammatory content, cooperate with law enforcement, and stay away from sensitive locations and illegal gatherings.
Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining law and order, the police said all roads and markets in the state remained open.
“No attempt to disrupt the peace, promote violence or incite people to unconstitutional activities will be allowed to succeed,” the statement said.
AJK PM defends ban
Meanwhile, AJK Chief Minister Chaudhry Faisal Mumtaz Rathore defended the decision to ban JAAC, saying the move had become inevitable given the evolving situation in the state.
Speaking to a private television channel, Rathore said progress had been made on most of the points agreed between the government and the commission.
Referring to the negotiations with the JAAC, he said that out of 38 points, some of the 37 agreed points had already been implemented, while others were partially fulfilled.
“If you think that removing these seats in the state is essential and that consensus needs to be built on this issue, then give us another five to seven days. But they didn’t give us that time frame,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the developing situation in the state was creating difficulties for common citizens and the government could not allow things to descend into chaos.
“Given the evolving situation, a JAAC ban had to be imposed,” he said.
When asked if the elections scheduled for the 27th would be held on time, Rathore said they should go ahead as planned.
“We want to ensure that the environment that has emerged does not persist. All political parties, as well as public opinion, must demonstrate responsibility,” he said.
Recalling previous negotiations, the prime minister said an agreement was drafted after the last round of talks failed, but it collapsed at the time of signing on a single issue.
“When our last negotiations failed, a deal was written on the table. When it was about to be signed, it failed on one point. After that, 13 human lives were lost, and the same deal was finally reached. It could have happened earlier too,” he said.
Responding to a question on possible Indian involvement in the unrest, Rathore said that whether or not India was directly involved, instability in the state would benefit New Delhi.
“Whether India is involved or not, when disorder is created in the state in the name of rights, the greatest benefit accrues to India. We have seen it in the past and we are also seeing it today,” he said.
“At such a time, giving India space to exploit the situation and strengthen its narrative on Kashmir is, in my opinion, not appropriate for either Pakistan or Kashmir,” he added.
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He said recent statements by the leaders of a banned group had indicated a tendency to “create mass chaos, as seen in the past.”
“We condemn violence, whether in the name of authority or protests. However, every state has the right to take action against lawlessness and lawlessness,” he wrote.
The prime minister added that there was no justification for the threats against state institutions, alleging that the banned group had repeatedly used such tactics even as talks were underway.
“I have repeatedly asked them to show some leniency in negotiations and talks, because after the announcement of the election schedule, our abilities to play an effective role would be limited,” he said.
He said the group’s “stubbornness and determination to subdue the state apparatus” had prevented any reasonable outcome.
“Now they blame everyone except themselves, even though they are the only ones to be blamed,” he added.
He also criticized offensive comments against him on social media, saying they reflected the group’s approach to resolving disputes.
“Their abusive language in my messages reflects their general approach to resolving disputes. This will never succeed,” he said.
JAAC rejects allegations
Meanwhile, JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir painted a very different picture of the situation.
In a statement, he said internet services had been shut down across the region and raids were being carried out to arrest members of the Action Committee.
Mir claimed that in Rawalakot, committee member Umar Nazir was attacked and another activist, Shazib Habib, was killed.
“Our morale is high and our resolve is stronger than ever. This state belongs to us and its protection is also our responsibility,” he said.
He said an official announcement regarding the future course of action would be made after consultations following Habib’s funeral prayers and reiterated that the planned long march would continue.
“The long march will take place in force. Our movement is entirely peaceful and our demands are just and popular,” he said.
Mir urged his supporters to avoid damaging public or private property.
“All comrades must refrain from any action that could cause damage to the government or private property. Our goal is construction, reform and the realization of rights, not damage and chaos,” he said.
Addressing overseas Kashmiris and human rights organizations, he said, “We make a fervent appeal to our Kashmiri brothers across the world and human rights organizations to become our voice and highlight this situation on the global stage.
He also urged his supporters not to spread unverified information.
“Fake news is being spread regarding the arrest of senior members. The public is requested not to believe unverified reports and refrain from spreading rumours,” he said, adding that supporters should avoid abusive remarks and uphold the traditions and values of Kashmiri society.
Internet disruption, political backlash
Internet services remained disrupted in parts of AJK following the JAAC’s call for protests on June 9.
According to NetBlocks, measurements showed a major disruption in internet connectivity in AJK.
The group’s ban also drew criticism from several political figures.
Former senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed called the move a “wrong decision at the wrong time” in an article on X, saying it repeated past mistakes in handling dissent and called into question the use of anti-terrorism laws against political opponents.
Former senator Afrasiab Khattak called the ban “a blatant violation of all fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.”
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Haqooq-i-Khalq party leader Ammar Ali Jan also criticized the move, arguing that repression during the elections would increase resentment and instability.
