AJK Government Defends Actions Amid Ongoing Unrest, Vows Legal Action Against Banned Action Committee Leaders

MUZAFFARABAD-(Special Correspondent)- The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday defended its handling of the ongoing unrest in the region, with Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan and Inspector General of Police Captain (Retd.) Liaquat Ali Malik outlining the administration’s position on law and order, subsidies, and recent clashes during a joint press conference in Muzaffarabad.

Addressing journalists, Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan said the government’s subsidy policies on electricity and flour had placed a significant financial burden on both the AJK government and the federal government. He stated that maintaining electricity tariffs at approximately Rs2.75 per unit could result in annual losses ranging between Rs8 billion and Rs10 billion.

He said that heavy subsidies on flour and electricity had steadily increased government expenditures, adding that authorities had spent between Rs20 billion and Rs25 billion to maintain lower prices. According to the Chief Secretary, keeping flour prices below market rates had also created market distortions and encouraged negative trends.

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The Chief Secretary strongly criticized the leadership of the banned Joint Action Committee, alleging that its members were now facing the consequences of violence and fatalities linked to their protest movement. He maintained that there would be no blanket amnesty for individuals found responsible for unlawful activities.

He further claimed that political pressure tactics had failed and that a new phase of peaceful, civilized, and logical dialogue had begun. According to him, leaders of the banned committee bear responsibility for deaths and violence that occurred during recent protests and would face legal proceedings.

Khushhal Khan alleged that the committee’s leadership had become increasingly divided amid ongoing negotiations and mediation efforts. He accused the group of attempting to evade legal accountability by using women and children as human shields during demonstrations, describing the practice as both irresponsible and criminal.

Discussing the long-standing dispute over 12 reserved assembly seats, the Chief Secretary said the government had offered several constitutional options to address the matter, including an All Parties Conference, a special session of the Legislative Assembly, and judicial remedies. He asserted that while the government kept the door open for dialogue, the committee expanded its demands from two points to 38 and later introduced additional demands.

The Chief Secretary said the government had appealed for restraint during the holy month of Muharram, but those appeals were ignored. He emphasized that road blockades and violent actions were unacceptable, noting that protesters had allegedly felled trees to obstruct major highways. Restoring transportation routes remained a top priority, he said, particularly because disruptions were affecting residents living near the Line of Control (LoC) and hindering the supply of essential goods.

He further alleged that members of the banned Action Committee had stopped and set fire to trucks carrying supplies in several areas. In Rawalakot, he claimed, protesters attempted to hijack relief vehicles, which were later recovered by law enforcement agencies.

The Chief Secretary also accused some overseas supporters of the movement of raising anti-Pakistan and anti-military slogans during demonstrations abroad and seeking support from India. He described protests outside Pakistani diplomatic missions as a matter of concern and reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and constitutional order.

“Negotiations cannot be held at gunpoint,” he said, adding that law enforcement agencies would continue taking action against individuals involved in activities deemed harmful to the state’s interests.

Speaking at the same press conference, Inspector General of Police Captain (Retd.) Liaquat Ali Malik presented the police version of events surrounding recent clashes.

According to the police chief, an incident occurred on June 5 during a routine security check at a checkpoint, when alleged members of the banned Action Committee opened indiscriminate fire from a vehicle. He said one individual associated with the group was killed, while another identified as Umar Nazir was injured. Two police personnel were also wounded in the exchange.

The IGP stated that post-mortem findings indicated that the deceased driver had suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the neck, suggesting that the fatal shot may have originated from inside the vehicle. He said this contradicted allegations that state authorities were directly responsible for the death.

The police chief further alleged that protesters attacked the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where three police officers assigned to security duties were subjected to severe violence and killed. He claimed that patients and medical staff were also assaulted during the incident.

Following the recovery of the hospital, law enforcement agencies conducted a flag march during which, according to the IGP, security personnel again came under fire from individuals linked to the banned committee.

The police chief alleged that women and children were being used as human shields and that there had been reports of weapons being concealed under burqas. He said security agencies remained on high alert and would continue to enforce the law.

Captain Malik also condemned attempts to incite state employees and military personnel against the government, describing such actions as unacceptable. He characterized the movement not as a peaceful long march but as an organized mobilization aimed at challenging state authority.

The IGP concluded by stating that individuals who surrendered unconditionally would be treated fairly under the law, while those involved in violence and attacks on state institutions would face legal consequences.