ISLAMABAD:
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police on Saturday said they had arrested around 72 people allegedly affiliated with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) during operations carried out over the past 18 hours, a day after the government outlawed the organization under anti-terror laws.
The development came after the AJK government banned the JAAC, accusing it of being involved in terrorism, promoting hatred and creating anarchy in the state ahead of a protest announced for June 9.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday in Lahore and discussed the overall law and order and security situation in the country.
The meeting reviewed in detail the prevailing security environment in the country and the measures being taken to maintain peace and stability.
Naqvi briefed the Prime Minister on the measures being implemented to ensure law and order and safeguard citizens across the country.
The prime minister stressed the importance of close coordination between all relevant institutions and called for a unified strategy to further strengthen law and order and enhance national security.
The Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace, protecting citizens and ensuring effective cooperation between all security and law enforcement agencies.
In a statement, AJK Police said the arrests were made as part of efforts to maintain law and order and protect lives and properties of citizens.
Police claimed that weapons, communication devices and suspicious documents had been recovered during the operation. Authorities also alleged that they had seized material related to plans that could affect public order, as well as evidence that allegedly indicated organized protests and patterns of violent activity.
The statement further stated that investigators had found signs of suspicious contacts with foreign persons and that investigations into the recovered material were continuing.
According to the police, preliminary evidence suggested that certain elements were planning to disrupt public order, damage public and private property, influence the electoral process and incite hostility against state institutions through what they described as unconstitutional and violent agitation.
Law enforcement agencies were examining the recovered material, digital evidence and other information in accordance with legal requirements, the statement added.
The inspector general of police said the state respected peaceful expression of opinions, constitutional demands and lawful protests.
“However, no individual or group will be allowed to engage in acts of violence, incitement, use of weapons, roadblocks, damage to public property or disruption of the daily lives of citizens,” the police chief said.
The statement said all those arrested would face investigation and judicial proceedings in accordance with relevant laws.
Police called on the public to remain calm and urged citizens to avoid rumors and inflammatory content, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and stay away from sensitive places and illegal gatherings.
Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining law and order, the police said all roads and markets in the state remained open.
“No attempt to disturb the peace, promote violence or incite people to unconstitutional activities will be allowed to succeed,” the statement said.
AJK PM defends ban
Meanwhile, AJK Chief Minister Chaudhry Faisal Mumtaz Rathore defended the decision to ban JAAC and said the move had become inevitable given the evolving situation in the state.
Speaking to a private television channel, Rathore said progress had been made on most of the points agreed upon between the government and the committee.
Referring to the negotiations with the JAAC, he said that of 38 points, some of the 37 agreed upon have already been implemented, while others have been partially fulfilled.
“If you believe that the abolition of these seats in the state is essential and that there is a need to reach a consensus on the issue, then give us another five or seven days. But they did not give us that time,” he said.
The chief minister said the unfolding situation in the state was creating hardship for common citizens and the government could not allow the situation to descend into chaos.
“Given the direction in which the situation was moving, a ban had to be imposed on the JAAC,” he said.
When asked if the elections scheduled for the 27th would be held on time, Rathore said they should proceed as planned.
“We want to ensure that the atmosphere that has emerged does not persist. All political parties, as well as the public, must demonstrate responsibility,” he said.
Recalling earlier negotiations, the prime minister said an agreement had been drawn up after the last round of talks collapsed but collapsed to the point of signing on a single issue.
“When our last negotiations failed, there was a written agreement on the table. When it was about to be signed, it was broken at one point. After that, 13 human lives were lost and finally the same agreement was reached. That could have happened earlier too,” he said.
Responding to a question about India’s possible involvement in the riots, Rathore said that regardless of whether India was directly involved, instability in the state would benefit New Delhi.
“Whether India is involved or not, when disorder is created in the state in the name of rights, the biggest benefit is for India. We have seen this in the past and we are seeing it today too,” he said.
“At this juncture, giving India space to exploit the situation and strengthen its narrative on Kashmir is, in my opinion, not appropriate for either Pakistan or Kashmir,” he added.
Later, in a post on
He said recent statements by leaders of a banned group had indicated an inclination to “create mass chaos, as has been seen in the past.”
“We condemn violence, whether in the name of authority or protests. However, each State has the right to act against anarchy and lawlessness,” he wrote.
The prime minister added that there was no justification for threats against state institutions, claiming that the banned group had repeatedly used such tactics even while talks were ongoing.
“I repeatedly asked them to show some leniency in negotiations and talks, as after the announcement of the election schedule, our powers to play an effective role would be limited,” he said.
He said the group’s “stubbornness and determination to dominate the state machinery” had prevented any reasonable outcome.
“Now they blame everyone but themselves, even though they are the only ones to blame,” he added.
He also criticized abusive language directed at him on social media, saying it reflected the group’s approach to resolving differences.
“Your abusive language in my posts reflects your general approach to resolving differences. This could never be successful,” he said.
JAAC rejects the accusations
On the other hand, JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir painted a completely different picture of the situation.
In a statement, it said internet services had been shut down across the region and raids were being carried out to arrest members of the Action Committee.
Mir alleged that in Rawalakot, committee member Umar Nazir had been attacked and another activist, Shazib Habib, had been killed.
“Our morale is high and our determination is stronger than ever. This State belongs to us and its protection is also our responsibility,” he said.
He said a formal announcement on the future course of action would be made after consultations following Habib’s funeral prayers and reiterated that the planned long march would go ahead.
“The long march will be carried out in full force. Our movement is entirely peaceful and our demands are just and popular,” he said.
Mir urged his followers to avoid damaging public or private property.
“All comrades must refrain from any action that may cause damage to the government or private property. Our goal is construction, reform and the realization of rights, not damage and chaos,” he said.
Appealing to overseas Kashmiris and human rights organisations, he said: “We make a fervent appeal to our Kashmiri brothers across the world and human rights organizations to become our voice and highlight this situation on the world stage.”
He also urged his followers not to spread unverified information.
“Fake news about the arrest of senior members is being spread. The public is requested not to believe unverified news and refrain from spreading rumours,” he said, adding that his followers should avoid abusive language and uphold the traditions and values of Kashmiri society.
Internet disruption, political reaction
Internet services remained disrupted in parts of AJK following the JAAC’s call for protests on June 9.
According to NetBlocks, the metrics showed a major disruption in internet connectivity in AJK.
The group’s ban also drew criticism from several political figures.
Former senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed described the move as a “wrong decision at the wrong time” in a post on X, saying it repeated past mistakes in dealing with dissent and questioned the use of anti-terrorism laws against political opponents.
Former senator Afrasiab Khattak called the ban “a gross violation of all fundamental rights under the Constitution.”
In a post on
Haqooq-i-Khalq party leader Ammar Ali Jan also criticized the decision, arguing that repression during the elections would increase resentment and instability.
