State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday said the federal government will support the Azad Jammu and Kashmir administration in its bid to crush agitators seeking to disrupt the electoral process and undermine peace in the region.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar after violent clashes between AJK Police and supporters of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), he said the group’s protest was not for rights, but rather aimed at taking the rights away from people.
Alleging that the banned group wanted to prevent Kashmiris from exercising their right to vote, he said the first phase of polling in Mirpur Division had served as a test of public sentiment. Voters, he maintained, had clearly rejected attempts to derail the polls.
According to Chaudhry, both domestic and foreign elements are involved in the unrest. He alleged the banned JAAC was attempting to divert international attention from the elections by fueling instability in the region. He reiterated that 37 of the JAAC’s 38 demands had been accepted, describing the continued protests as unjustified. He alleged that some elements had resorted to violence and disorder after efforts to halt the elections failed to gain public support.
He further claimed that acts of terrorism were being staged under the guise of protest, adding the use of weapons had no place in a genuine public demonstration. He vowed the center would provide the AJK government with all necessary support to safeguard citizens and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Tarar, meanwhile, claimed the people of AJK had overwhelmingly rejected violent elements by participating in the electoral process. He claimed around 600,000 votes were cast across Mirpur Division, demonstrating public support for democracy despite attempts to create unrest.
The minister said the banned group was opposed to Kashmir’s development, peace and its enduring relationship with Pakistan. He claimed the JAAC was pursuing a foreign agenda and receiving funding from India, adding its actions had exposed its intentions before the people of Kashmir and the international community.
Tarar said no one would be allowed to impose their will through intimidation or violence, adding that the state would take all necessary measures to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Militant role
Also on Tuesday, AJK Information Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif and AJK Police spokesperson DIG Irfan Masood Kashfi told a separate joint press conference the state’s primary responsibility was to maintain law and order. They assured citizens that authorities would take all necessary measures to ensure public safety and the smooth conduct of elections.
Hanif said the banned group included armed individuals, militants and people linked to Fitna al-Khawarij—the state’s designation for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan—adding evidence of such involvement was available with state institutions. He urged citizens to remain cautious of what he described as misleading information being circulated about the protests.
The information secretary alleged some elements within JAAC had used civilians as human shields during demonstrations. He added that public participation in the first phase of the AJK elections in Mirpur Division reflected the people’s preference for resolving disputes through peaceful and democratic channels.
The police official, meanwhile, alleged some of clashing protesters had modern and automatic weapons. He said five police personnel, including an officer, were injured after coming under fire during the unrest. He urged citizens to maintain contact with the administration and state institutions, saying public cooperation was essential for preserving peace and stability in the region.