TTAP claims police stopped delegation from traveling to AJK to participate in sit-in

ISLAMABAD:

A high-level delegation of the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP), led by Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, was stopped by police from traveling to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday after announcing plans to join an ongoing sit-in in Rawalakot, the alliance’s spokesperson said.

Earlier today, TTAP announced that its delegation would visit Rawalakot to express solidarity with the banned sit-in of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and support what it described as public demands consistent with the principles of democratic freedoms, constitutional supremacy and public rights.

The delegation included Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, TTAP spokesperson Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai and Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, lawyer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan.

According to the spokesperson, the delegation intended to meet with JAAC leaders and address sit-in participants, reaffirming its commitment to the Constitution, democracy and the protection of public rights.

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However, in a later statement, TTAP said police stopped the delegation in Kahuta before they could enter AJK.

The party spokesperson said members of the delegation had asked the police under what legal authority they were being prevented from proceeding. According to the spokesperson, the police responded that they had received orders from their “senior officers” not to allow the delegation to continue.

TTAP said peaceful political activity and the right to express solidarity cannot be restricted by the use of force. She further alleged that preventing the delegation from proceeding without a legal order or written directive amounted to a violation of fundamental rights.

The delegation claimed that they had traveled peacefully to express solidarity with the people of AJK and said arresting them amounted to curtailing political freedoms, according to the spokesperson.

Background

The recent unrest and deadly clashes broke out in certain areas, notably in Rawalakot, where the JAAC had organized a sit-in in front of the Rawalakot Combined Military Hospital. AJK police say armed JAAC members opened fire on security forces deployed during a planned attack, leaving four people dead and around 20 injured. The JAAC, however, disputes this version, saying that security forces used tear gas and fired shells towards the hospital.

According to the AJK Police, three individuals linked to the JAAC and four law enforcement personnel were killed during the protests. The JAAC, however, said in a statement on

The clash occurred as the AJK government and JAAC witnessed a face-off with the election date for AJK being announced for July 27.

Learn more: Some elements seeking to create instability within AJK despite repeated offers for dialogue: Rana Sanaullah

The 53-member AJK Legislative Assembly has 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees, people who fled Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1947 and 1965 and are now scattered across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people) and six from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 people) – an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.

The region experienced one of its most turbulent periods in October last year, when JAAC-led protests erupted demanding constitutional and governance reforms. At least nine people, including three police officers, were killed during the unrest.

The JAAC, which organized the protests and strike, had presented a broad charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the removal of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees and the abolition of the quota system.

Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement on 12 basic points and 13 additional points. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to look into the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.