Efforts to Create Chaos and Division in Pakistan & AJK: A Destructive Agenda

Regrettably, some elements in AJK aim to undermine its remarkable culture. In recent months, the Awami Action Committee (AAC) has emerged as a pressure group and a potential threat to the region’s peace and harmony. The AAC has become a controversial entity, facing allegations of contributing to social unrest and spreading hate within the region. Its activities have raised concerns about its impact on the political and social fabric of AJK.

The AAC has shifted towards more extreme tactics, alarming both citizens and political observers. It has been criticized for destabilizing political stability in AJK by exploiting divisions for political gain. The committee is often accused of backing one political faction over another, which has led to increased friction and institutional breakdowns. This is particularly harmful in a region where the democratic process is still developing and where stability is crucial for progress. By aligning itself with specific political factions, the AAC has created an environment of mistrust and competition rather than cooperation, exacerbating the political climate with accusations of corruption, nepotism, and manipulation.

The AAC has been blamed for inciting protests, boycotts, and destabilizing campaigns against its political rivals, which have further aggravated the fragile situation. The group is accused of orchestrating efforts to destabilize the AJK government, using inflammatory rhetoric to rally resistance and portray the government as controlled by external forces. These actions have been viewed as attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the elected government and create a power vacuum that the AAC hopes to exploit. As a result, the AAC’s actions have contributed to an atmosphere of lawlessness and unrest, leading to greater instability in the region.

Observers have also taken note of the AAC’s role in destabilizing the region for personal political gain. The AAC’s controversial activities are largely driven by its tendency to incite hate and violence. It has been accused of using hate speech and promoting divisive rhetoric to fuel animosity between ethnic and religious groups within AJK. Through its online campaigns, the AAC has spread inflammatory messages, escalating tensions and undermining peaceful coexistence. The group’s leaders often adopt nationalist rhetoric, mixing anti-Pakistan sentiments in ways that portray Pakistan as an oppressor of Kashmiris. While advocating for the rights of Kashmiris is important, such divisive rhetoric only weakens constructive dialogue, fostering violence and enmity among groups. Critics contend that the AAC’s actions, driven by ideological extremism, are pushing the people of AJK further from peaceful coexistence and toward a potential collapse of the region’s social fabric. The AAC has played a key role in leveraging modern media, particularly social media, to disseminate its divisive ideology. Its presence on digital platforms has significantly expanded its reach, allowing it to influence a wide audience. By manipulating information, spreading misinformation, and using provocative images and videos, the AAC has stirred emotions and created widespread chaos. Their activities on digital platforms have fueled misinformation, leading to confusion and fear in the region. The group’s use of social media to target political rivals and advance its own agenda has sparked online disputes, resulting in verbal abuse and even physical confrontations. This manipulation of media undermines the ability of citizens to distinguish between truth and falsehood, jeopardizing the region’s peace and security.

The political agenda of the Awami Action Committee is rooted in populist rhetoric, often grounded in unrealistic and unattainable goals. The AAC’s strong anti-Pakistan stance suggests that their actions are supported by external forces, notably India and nationalist elements operating abroad. These external supporters, many of whom have sought asylum under false pretenses, appear to be fueling the group’s divisive rhetoric. Viewed through the lens of criminality and terrorism, the actions of the AAC are indefensible. Their violent protests, which have included attacks on ambulances and police vehicles, as well as damage to civil and private property, reflect a dangerous and hostile mindset. Moreover, their rhetoric on social media, often laced with abusive threats or mockery, further exemplifies their disruptive behavior. Indian media have even celebrated AAC’s attacks on local institutions, adding to the international. Even after their demands were met, the AAC chose to escalate tensions by attacking AJK’s capital. For many in AJK, groups like the AAC are seen as pressure organizations bent on isolating the people from the system, sowing division, and spreading hatred. Whether it’s the BLA or the AAC, extremist and nationalist mindsets pose a serious threat to the peace and unity of both AJK and Pakistan. Nationalism is like a spreading disease, affecting various regions. In Balochistan, nationalist militants recently killed seven innocent people simply because they were not locals. Previously, they also targeted and killed laborers from Kashmir. Such actions directly contradict the teachings of Islam, which eradicated such divisions and granted all Muslims equal rights and status. Those who commit these crimes either lack knowledge of their faith or deliberately rebel against it. A similar mindset exists among a small faction in Kashmir, where some individuals promote violence, display hostility, and seek to demean others. This secular ideology is a dangerous poison for an Islamic society, and people of Pakistan and AJK must safeguard themselves and their communities from its harmful influence.

As the AAC’s divisive actions intensify, calls for accountability are growing. Both political analysts and human rights organizations have urged local and international communities to hold the AAC responsible for its destabilizing impact. Many view the AAC’s activities as a direct threat to the long-term peace and progress of AJK. It is widely believed that unless such groups are held accountable, the region will continue to suffer from violence, chaos, and division. The people of AJK deserve leadership that fosters social harmony, peaceful dialogue, and a united push for self-determination. Acknowledging the destructive consequences of extremist and nationalist actions, including those of the groups like BLA and AAC, is essential to counteracting their negative impact on the peace and prosperity of both AJK and Pakistan. Only by addressing these divisive forces can AJK and Pakistan begin to heal and build a more unified future.