Centre stands with AJK govt to crush agitators trying to sabotage elections: minister
- Talal vows federal support to protect AJK electoral process.
- Tarar alleges banned JAAC pursues foreign-backed agenda.
- AJK officials link banned JAAC with armed elements.
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday said the federal government would fully support the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) administration to crush agitators seeking to disrupt the electoral process and undermine peace in the region.
He stated this while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Talal’s remarks came against the backdrop of violent clashes in Rawalakot involving supporters of the proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
The AJK government had declared JAAC a proscribed organisation on June 5 under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), accusing the group of involvement in terrorism.
The ban was imposed days before the committee’s planned June 9 protest demanding the abolition of 12 AJK Assembly seats reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
Criticising the banned outfit, the minister said its campaign was “not a movement to secure rights, but one aimed at taking rights away from the people”.
He alleged that the proscribed group was seeking to deprive Kashmiris of their right to vote and undermine the democratic process.
He said the first phase of elections in Mirpur Division had served as a test of public sentiment, arguing that voters had clearly rejected attempts to derail the polls.
Talal added that political leaders from both Pakistan and AJK had campaigned extensively across the region and that efforts to disrupt the electoral process were bound to fail.
The minister further said that both domestic and foreign elements were involved in the unrest, alleging that the banned JAAC was attempting to divert international attention from the elections by fuelling instability in the region.
Talal maintained that 37 of the committee’s 38 demands had already been accepted, describing the continued protests as unjustified. He alleged that when efforts to halt the elections failed to gain public support, some elements resorted to violence and disorder.
He also claimed that acts of terrorism were being carried out under the guise of protest, adding that the use of weapons had no place in a genuine public demonstration.
He vowed that the Centre would provide the AJK government with all necessary support to safeguard citizens and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Speaking at the press conference, Information Minister Tarar said the people of AJK had overwhelmingly rejected the violent elements by participating in the electoral process.
He said around 600,000 votes were cast across Mirpur Division, demonstrating public support for democracy despite attempts to create unrest.
Tarar said that the banned group was opposed to Kashmir’s development, peace and its enduring relationship with Pakistan.
He claimed that the banned JAAC was pursuing a foreign agenda and receiving funding from India, adding that its actions had exposed its intentions before the people of Kashmir and the international community.
The minister 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.
Banned group included militants: AJK govt
Earlier in the day, the AJK government said that the banned JAAC attempted to disrupt the ongoing electoral process through acts of violence and unrest.
AJK Secretary Information Muhammad Rashid Hanif made the statement during a press conference in Muzaffarabad alongside AJK Police spokesperson DIG Irfan Masood Kashfi, following violent clashes between law enforcement personnel and banned JAAC protesters in Rawalakot amid continuing sit-ins.
Hanif said the state’s primary responsibility was to maintain law and order and assured that authorities would take all necessary measures to ensure public safety and the smooth conduct of elections.
The information secretary added that the banned group included armed individuals, militants and people linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, claiming that 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.
Hanif further said that 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.
DIG Kashfi said some protesters involved in the clashes were carrying modern and automatic weapons. He added that five police personnel, including an officer, were injured after coming under fire during the unrest.
The police spokesperson urged citizens to maintain contact with the administration and state institutions, saying public cooperation was essential for preserving peace and stability in the region.
On Sunday, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that security agencies had arrested a suspect allegedly involved in an India-linked digital influence campaign targeting Pakistan.
Tarar said the suspect was providing digital marketing services and that investigations had uncovered links between these activities and India, Radio Pakistan reported.
He added that payments made for promoting anti-Pakistan content on social media were traced to sources in India.
The minister had said the investigation had also exposed a network of bot farms allegedly being used to spread misinformation and amplify content targeting Pakistan’s sovereignty, government, armed forces and state institutions.
Tarar further claimed that during interrogation, the suspect revealed that a significant portion of the content being circulated through the network was linked to the activities of the proscribed JAAC in the AJK.
