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			<title>AJK PM offers 'return to negotiating table' after 3 JAAC members killed in Rawalakot clashes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612038/three-jaac-members-killed-as-ajk-police-claim-rawalakot-siege-cleared</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612038/three-jaac-members-killed-as-ajk-police-claim-rawalakot-siege-cleared#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 08:14:01 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612038</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Police say legal action underway against individuals responsible for clashes, organisers will be brought before law]]>
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				<![CDATA[Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Faisal Rathore urged the newly proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to return to talks on Monday after three individuals linked to the group were killed during the previous day&#39;s protests, with additional injuries reported.

A press release by the AJK police said three individuals were killed. The statement followed deadly clashes in AJK&#39;s Rawalakot, where the JAAC had been holding a sit-in outside Combined Military Hospital Rawalakot. The police alleged that armed JAAC members opened fire on deployed law enforcement in a planned attack, leaving four personnel dead and around 20 injured. The JAAC, however, disputed this account, claiming security forces used tear gas and fired shells toward the hospital.

According to the statement, law and order had been restored in Rawalakot after what it described as violent and armed actions by elements linked to JAAC.

After a meeting on the situation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and other political leaders, Rathore took to X to offer talks once again to the JAAC.

He acknowledged that the JAAC&#39;s &quot;grievances against 12 refugee seats are not entirely unfair&quot;.

He added: &quot;The matter of refugee seats should be resolved, yet it should&#39;ve been managed differently with an outcome that could be acceptable to everyone. All that was required of them was to show patience and flexibility, the two currencies they&#39;re never willing to spend. It always turned normal scenarios into cliffhangers. And so today we&#39;re free-falling. How will we recompense the families of security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty?

&quot;All said and done, I would once again request leaders of the protesters to dial down their offensive approach, put a pause on their constant ultimatums, come back to the negotiating table and listen to reason. I&#39;m sure it&#39;s the best way for everyone involved to achieve their desired aims. We must sit and talk about the future of all refugee seats. If you agree, I&#39;ll guarantee your safety, security, free movement and a level-playing field during and after the negotiations.&quot;



IMPORTANT UPDATE:

Today I had meetings with the Honorable President @AAliZardari and the Prime Minister @CMShehbaz of Pakistan. Chairman @BBhuttoZardari, other senior leaders of our party and members of the Federal cabinet were also in attendance. We held detailed deliberations&hellip; pic.twitter.com/HyOrCAx4eG
&mdash; Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) June 8, 2026


The AJK police said armed individuals attempted to disturb peace in the area on the evening of June 7 by launching a planned firing attack on law enforcement personnel. The attackers later besieged CMH Rawalakot, severely disrupting hospital services and medical operations. The police said that miscreants also set fire at multiple locations and caused damage to both public and private property.



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1445164280987219&amp;set=a.247068134130179&amp;id=100064809815793



The press release added that law enforcement agencies responded with &ldquo;professionalism, restraint and responsibility,&rdquo; carrying out a limited and targeted operation between the night of June 7 and 8 to clear the hospital siege. It said that priority was given to the safety of patients, medical staff and civilians, and that CMH Rawalakot was now fully cleared with medical services restored.

The police stated that since June 6, four law enforcement personnel have been killed in firing incidents, including three AJK Rawalakot Police officials and one Frontier Constabulary member, while several others were injured. It further claimed that three individuals linked to the Action Committee were killed due to their own &ldquo;indiscriminate firing,&rdquo; with additional injuries reported.

Read: Four police personnel martyred, over 20 injured in Rawalakot firing: AJK police

According to the statement, the situation has been brought under control, with roads reopened and markets functioning normally across the area.

The police said that those involved in violence have been dispersed, and operations against armed elements are continuing. It added that legal action is underway against individuals responsible for disturbing peace and that the organisers of unrest will be brought before the law.

The press release also confirmed that the funeral prayers of the slain personnel will be held with full official honours. The statement urged the public to avoid involvement in any activities linked to the proscribed group, not to believe rumours, and to rely only on official sources for information.

An alleged audio of JAAC leaders also did the rounds on social media.

Meanwhile, according to a post by the JAAC on X posted late last night, Rawalakot &ldquo;resembled Gaza,&rdquo; with the group alleging that security forces carried out firing during &quot;a peaceful protest sit-in.&quot;



راولاکوٹ غزہ کا منظر پیش کر رہا ہے- پاکستانی فورسز کس کی ایما ء پر قتل و غارت کر رہی ہیں- ریاستی دہشتگردی کسی صورت قبول نہیں- اندھیری رات میں بجلی بند کر کے شرکائے پُرامن احتجاجی دھرنا پر اسٹریٹ فائرنگ 7 افراد کی شہادت اور درجنوں زخمیوں کی اطلاعات ہیں-
پاکستانی فورسز کی فائرنگ سے&hellip;
&mdash; Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 7, 2026


The JAAC claimed that seven individuals were killed and dozens were injured when street firing was carried out in the dark after electricity was allegedly cut off. It further alleged that the protestors were targeted during what it described as a peaceful demonstration.

The group acknowledged that local police personnel were among those injured in the incident. JAAC said the actions amounted to &ldquo;state terrorism&rdquo; and urged the authorities to immediately withdraw security forces and implement what it called the people&rsquo;s &ldquo;legitimate and constitutional demands.&rdquo; It warned that protesters would not back down from their demands under any circumstances.

The region witnessed one of its most turbulent periods in October last year when protests led by the JAAC erupted over demands for constitutional and governance reforms. At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.

The JAAC, which organised the protests and strike, had presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.

Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

The unrest also triggered political upheaval in the region. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) subsequently moved a no-confidence resolution against then prime minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) joining the effort. Haq, who had been elected in April 2023 with 48 votes, chose to face the vote rather than resign.

On Nov 17, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore secured 36 votes in the election and became the 16th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

With elections now approaching and the refugee seat issue still unresolved, the AJK government convened an All Parties Conference (APC) in Muzaffarabad to build consensus. Almost every major party attended &mdash; except PTI and the JAAC, who boycotted it.

The JAAC&#39;s position is that the government had already rejected its written proposals submitted on May 30, so attending would be futile. It had proposed either keeping symbolic refugee representation until the Kashmir dispute is permanently resolved, or replacing the 12 assembly seats with 4 seats in the AJK Council &mdash; a body chaired by the Prime Minister, which it argued would better preserve the political dimension of the Kashmir cause.

The APC rejected any changes outside the constitutional and legislative framework, saying only the elected assembly could alter refugee seat arrangements. The JAAC called the resolution &quot;a page and a half of utterly trivial lines&quot; and accused participants of gathering to serve their own interests rather than the public&#39;s.

The JAAC called a major protest for June 9 in Muzaffarabad, with caravans converging from across the region.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Sunday rejected claims that the agreement with the JAAC had remained unimplemented, and said the government had fulfilled the vast majority of its commitments in AJK.

The minister warned against attempts to create unrest in AJK and questioned whether such actions served the interests of Pakistan, AJK or the broader Kashmir cause. &ldquo;The solution to these issues is not violence,&rdquo; he said, adding, &ldquo;The solution is dialogue. We cannot allow law and order to deteriorate or innocent lives to be lost.&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>PM Shehbaz discusses G-B polls and AJK situation with President Zardari</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612087/pm-shehbaz-discusses-g-b-polls-and-ajk-situation-with-president-zardari</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612087/pm-shehbaz-discusses-g-b-polls-and-ajk-situation-with-president-zardari#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 15:40:34 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[AJK PM Rathore offers JAAC to 'come back to negotiating table']]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari discussed the recent Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) elections and the restive situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in a meeting on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the President&#39;s House, the two leaders also discussed national security, the economy, the upcoming federal budget and the regional situation.

&quot;The discussions also covered the recent G-B elections, the law and order situation in AJK, and other matters of national importance,&quot; the statement said.

The statement added that, while discussing budget proposals and public relief measures, President Zardari stressed the need to prioritise public welfare, provincial rights and economic stability in the upcoming federal budget.

&quot;The president directed that full efforts be made to align the growth rate and public welfare schemes in the upcoming budget,&quot; it said.

During the meeting, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi briefed the president on his recent visit to Iran and the latest regional diplomatic engagements.



صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری سے وزیرِ اعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی ایوانِ صدر میں ملاقات۔

نائب وزیرِ اعظم و وزیرِ خارجہ اسحاق ڈار، وزیرِ داخلہ محسن نقوی، وزیرِ قانون اعظم نذیر تارڑ، وزیر خزانہ محمد اورنگزیب اور وزیرِ اعظم کے مشیر برائے سیاسی امور رانا ثناء اللّہ ملاقات میں موجود۔&hellip; pic.twitter.com/5yC3TOQcYC
&mdash; The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) June 8, 2026


Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah attended the meeting.

Pakistan People&#39;s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, AJK Prime Minister Raja Faisal Rathore and other political leaders were also present.

Following the meeting, AJK PM Rathore said&nbsp;detailed deliberations were held over the prevailing situation in the territory.

He acknowledged that&nbsp;the&nbsp;Joint Awami Action Committee&#39;s&nbsp;(JAAC)&nbsp;&quot;grievances against 12 refugee seats are not entirely unfair&quot;.

He added: &quot;The matter of refugee seats should be resolved, yet it should&#39;ve been managed differently with an outcome that could be acceptable to everyone. All that was required of them was to show patience and flexibility, the two currencies they&#39;re never willing to spend. It always turned normal scenarios into cliffhangers. And so today we&#39;re free-falling. How will we recompense the families of security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty?

&quot;All said and done, I would once again request leaders of the protesters to dial down their offensive approach, put a pause on their constant ultimatums, come back to the negotiating table and listen to reason. I&#39;m sure it&#39;s the best way for everyone involved to achieve their desired aims. We must sit and talk about the future of all refugee seats. If you agree, I&#39;ll guarantee your safety, security, free movement and a level-playing field during and after the negotiations.&quot;



IMPORTANT UPDATE:

Today I had meetings with the Honorable President @AAliZardari and the Prime Minister @CMShehbaz of Pakistan. Chairman @BBhuttoZardari, other senior leaders of our party and members of the Federal cabinet were also in attendance. We held detailed deliberations&hellip; pic.twitter.com/HyOrCAx4eG
&mdash; Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) June 8, 2026



Certain elements attempting to disrupt electoral, political process in AJK

While talking to a private news channel programme, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that no one could raise any questions over the transparency of the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) elections, adding that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had emerged victorious and deserved congratulations.

Speaking about the formation of the government in G-B, Chaudhry said the PPP would require support to form an administration, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would decide later whether to join the government or sit in the opposition.

&quot;The PML-N leadership in G-B will make that decision, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will endorse it,&quot; he said.

Referring to the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Chaudhry said they would also be conducted in a transparent manner. However, he alleged that certain elements were attempting to disrupt the electoral and political process.

&quot;Those powers trying to stop the elections and sabotage the democratic process must be reined in,&quot; he said.

Chaudhry added that no political party could or should eliminate another party from the political system.

&quot;We do not want any political party to be wiped out,&quot; he said, noting that PTI leaders had campaigned freely in G-B and that &quot;everyone is saying the elections were free and fair.&quot;

He said the PML-N had accepted the PPP&#39;s victory in the region.

Commenting on the situation in AJK, Chaudhry said peaceful protest was a democratic right and had been allowed. However, he alleged that some elements had turned the demonstration into unrest.

&quot;The government had requested that the protest be postponed, but the JAAC&nbsp;refused. What followed was not a peaceful protest but riots,&quot; he said.

He also criticised what he described as misinformation circulating on social media, saying the Kashmir issue should not be politicised.

&quot;This is a conspiracy, and we need to stop it,&quot; Chaudhry said.

The meeting came in the wake of deadly clashes in AJK&#39;s Rawalakot, where the newly proscribed JAAC&nbsp;had been holding a sit-in outside the Combined Military Hospital Rawalakot. AJK police allege that armed JAAC members opened fire on deployed law enforcement in a planned attack, leaving four personnel dead and around 20 injured. JAAC, however, disputes this account, claiming security forces used tear gas and fired shells toward the hospital.

According to the AJK police, three individuals linked to the JAAC and four law enforcement personnel were killed during the protests on Sunday. JAAC, however, said in a statement on X that seven individuals were killed and dozens were injured when street firing was carried out in the dark after electricity was allegedly cut off.

The clash on Sunday came as the AJK government and the JAAC witnessed a face-off, as the election date for AJK was announced for July 27.

AJK&#39;s 53-member legislative assembly includes 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees &mdash; people who fled Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1947 and 1965 and are now scattered across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people) and six from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 people) &mdash; an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.

The region witnessed one of its most turbulent periods in October last year when protests led by the JAAC erupted over demands for constitutional and governance reforms. At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.

The JAAC, which organised the protests and strike, had presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.

Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

Read More: Four police personnel martyred, over 20 injured in Rawalakot firing: AJK police

The unrest also triggered political upheaval in the region. The PPP subsequently moved a no-confidence resolution against then prime minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz joining the effort. Haq, who had been elected in April 2023 with 48 votes, chose to face the vote rather than resign.

On Nov 17, Rathore secured 36 votes in the election and became the 16th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

With elections now approaching and the refugee seat issue still unresolved, the AJK government convened an All Parties Conference (APC) in Muzaffarabad to build consensus. Almost every major party attended &mdash; except PTI and the JAAC, who boycotted it.

The JAAC&#39;s position is that the government had already rejected its written proposals submitted on May 30, so attending would be futile. It had proposed either keeping symbolic refugee representation until the Kashmir dispute is permanently resolved, or replacing the 12 assembly seats with 4 seats in the AJK Council &mdash; a body chaired by the Prime Minister, which it argued would better preserve the political dimension of the Kashmir cause.

The APC rejected any changes outside the constitutional and legislative framework, saying only the elected assembly could alter refugee seat arrangements. The JAAC called the resolution &quot;a page and a half of utterly trivial lines&quot; and accused participants of gathering to serve their own interests rather than the public&#39;s.

The JAAC called a major protest for June 9 in Muzaffarabad, with caravans converging from across the region.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Sunday rejected claims that the agreement with the JAAC had remained unimplemented, and said the government had fulfilled the vast majority of its commitments in AJK.]]>
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			<title>FO warns UK diaspora against interference in Pakistan, AJK affairs amid unrest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612060/fo-warns-uk-diaspora-against-interference-in-pakistan-ajk-affairs-amid-unrest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612060/fo-warns-uk-diaspora-against-interference-in-pakistan-ajk-affairs-amid-unrest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 11:45:18 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Urges British government to educate, caution those 'supporting proscribed organisations' to refrain from such actions]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Foreign Office (FO) on Monday rejected what it termed &ldquo;irresponsible and ill-informed insinuations&rdquo; made by certain members of the diaspora in the United Kingdom regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) amid the unrest in the territory.

The statement follows deadly clashes in AJK&#39;s Rawalakot, where the newly proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had been holding a sit-in outside CMH Rawalakot hospital. AJK police allege that armed JAAC members opened fire on deployed law enforcement in a planned attack, leaving four personnel dead and around 20 injured. JAAC, however, disputes this account, claiming security forces used tear gas and fired shells toward the hospital.

The British Parliament&#39;s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir on Saturday wrote a letter to the foreign secretary signed by 31 lawmakers, that expressed concern over the matter and urged intervention. Meanwhile, overseas Pakistanis and Kashmiris have also been criticising the ongoing events.

In a strongly worded statement issued today, MoFA said these individuals of the diaspora were advised to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Pakistan and AJK, adding they &ldquo;would do well to contribute positively to their country of residence.&rdquo;



🔊PR No.1️⃣4️⃣3️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣

Pakistan Rejects Unwarranted Remarks on Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir

🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8kKJgGOd4f
&mdash; Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 8, 2026


The statement also noted &ldquo;unwarranted remarks and queries&rdquo; raised by certain British MPs, saying they reflected &ldquo;a lack of awareness and disregard for the historical background of the issue&rdquo;.

It added, &ldquo;For those still living in colonial times, it bears reiterating that Pakistan is a sovereign and democratic republic that firmly believes in non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and expects the same from others.&rdquo;

The FO said the governments of Pakistan and AJK &ldquo;fully recognise and respect the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and democratic participation&rdquo;.

However, it stressed that &ldquo;vandalism, the destruction of public services, including hospitals, and the murder of innocent civilians and law enforcement officials cannot be permitted under any circumstances.&rdquo;

It further urged the British government to &ldquo;educate and caution those supporting proscribed organisations to refrain from such actions&rdquo; and to respect &ldquo;the democratic process, judicial decisions and the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitutions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan&rdquo;.

Read: AJK Police say 3 JAAC members killed in Rawalakot clashes, several injured

According to the AJK police, three individuals linked to the JAAC and four law enforcement personnel were killed during the protests on Sunday. JAAC, however, said in a statement on X that seven individuals were killed and dozens were injured when street firing was carried out in the dark after electricity was allegedly cut off.

The clash on Sunday came as the AJK government and the JAAC witnessed a face-off, as the election date for AJK was announced for July 27.

AJK&#39;s 53-member legislative assembly includes 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees &mdash; people who fled Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1947 and 1965 and are now scattered across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people) and six from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 people) &mdash; an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.

The region witnessed one of its most turbulent periods in October last year when protests led by the JAAC erupted over demands for constitutional and governance reforms. At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.

The JAAC, which organised the protests and strike, had presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.

Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

Read More: Four police personnel martyred, over 20 injured in Rawalakot firing: AJK police

The unrest also triggered political upheaval in the region. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) subsequently moved a no-confidence resolution against then prime minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) joining the effort. Haq, who had been elected in April 2023 with 48 votes, chose to face the vote rather than resign.

On Nov 17, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore secured 36 votes in the election and became the 16th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

With elections now approaching and the refugee seat issue still unresolved, the AJK government convened an All Parties Conference (APC) in Muzaffarabad to build consensus. Almost every major party attended &mdash; except PTI and the JAAC, who boycotted it.

The JAAC&#39;s position is that the government had already rejected its written proposals submitted on May 30, so attending would be futile. It had proposed either keeping symbolic refugee representation until the Kashmir dispute is permanently resolved, or replacing the 12 assembly seats with 4 seats in the AJK Council &mdash; a body chaired by the Prime Minister, which it argued would better preserve the political dimension of the Kashmir cause.

The APC rejected any changes outside the constitutional and legislative framework, saying only the elected assembly could alter refugee seat arrangements. The JAAC called the resolution &quot;a page and a half of utterly trivial lines&quot; and accused participants of gathering to serve their own interests rather than the public&#39;s.

The JAAC called a major protest for June 9 in Muzaffarabad, with caravans converging from across the region.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Sunday rejected claims that the agreement with the JAAC had remained unimplemented, and said the government had fulfilled the vast majority of its commitments in AJK.

The minister warned against attempts to create unrest in AJK and questioned whether such actions served the interests of Pakistan, AJK or the broader Kashmir cause. &ldquo;The solution to these issues is not violence,&rdquo; he said, adding, &ldquo;The solution is dialogue. We cannot allow law and order to deteriorate or innocent lives to be lost.&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>Tariq Fazal rejects JAAC claims of inaction, says most agreement commitments fulfilled</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611898/tariq-fazal-rejects-jaac-claims-of-inaction-says-most-agreement-commitments-fulfilled</link>
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			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 26 13:52:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Federal minister urges dialogue over confrontation as JAAC plans fresh protests in AJK]]>
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				<![CDATA[Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Sunday rejected claims that the October 3, 2025, agreement with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had largely remained unimplemented, saying the government had fulfilled the vast majority of its commitments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

His remarks came after JAAC announced protests across the region on June 9, prompting the AJK government to declare the group a proscribed organisation, accusing it of involvement in terrorism, promoting hatred and creating anarchy in the state.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Chaudhry said the government had repeatedly sought to resolve outstanding issues through dialogue but regretted that &ldquo;false and negative propaganda&rdquo; was being spread regarding the implementation status of the agreement.

Referring to demands concerning the representation of Kashmiri migrants residing in Pakistan, the minister said four options had been proposed, including discussing the matter through an all-parties conference comprising all registered political parties in AJK.

Rejecting claims circulating on social media that only three clauses of the agreement had been implemented, Dr Chaudhry said that, as a signatory to the accord and a participant in the negotiations held with JAAC in October 2025, he wanted to present the implementation record before the public &ldquo;clause by clause&rdquo;.

According to the minister, the first commitment related to cases registered against demonstrators during protests and the long march held in September 2025. He said 177 FIRs had been withdrawn through notifications issued on multiple dates in December 2025.

However, he noted that cases relating to 14 deaths had not been withdrawn and remained sealed, while a proposal to establish a judicial commission was still under consideration.

Dr Chaudhry said government employees suspended for participating in the demonstrations had been reinstated, while employment had been provided to the family members of deceased protesters, including the widow of one victim.

He further stated that electricity bills of beneficiaries affected by the Mangla Dam Raising Project had been waived, with the relevant notifications already issued.

&nbsp;

The minister said the National Highway Authority (NHA) had completed a feasibility study for the Khuiratta&ndash;Azad Pattan Road project and submitted it to the Ministry of Communications, with details shared with the AJK government.

On other commitments, he said the procurement of electricity metres through e-tendering had begun, while measures had been taken to improve flour quality by sourcing supplies from both PASSCO and local mills.

Dr Chaudhry said progress had also been made on expanding internet services through the Universal Service Fund mechanism. The legal framework had been finalised and implementation work had already commenced, he added.

He said a waste management system had been introduced in Muzaffarabad, while development schemes worth Rs2.7 billion had been launched across nine districts.

Also Read: AJK SC rules refugee seats constitutionally protected, cannot be altered

Regarding local government reforms, the minister said the AJK cabinet had approved the matter and constituted a ministerial committee to pursue the necessary legislative changes. He added that notifications had been issued regarding electricity tariff concessions for private schools and certain commercial units.

The minister said discussions with the State Bank of Pakistan on the scheduling of the Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir had resulted in the issuance of the required notifications.

He also announced that two new federal boards had been established and notified, while the distribution of assets associated with the Mirpur board was under way.

Dr Chaudhry further said implementation had begun on allotment commitments for extended families in Mirpur district and those affected by the Mangla Dam Raising Project. He added that a health card scheme had already been launched for residents of AJK, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan.

On healthcare infrastructure, he said a project worth approximately Rs5 billion to provide MRI machines and CT scanners to district hospitals had been approved by the relevant authorities in AJK and would be completed soon.

The minister said Rs10 billion had been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for electrification and upgradation works, which would help address electricity-related issues across the region.

He maintained that demands regarding the reduction of the size of the AJK cabinet and government offices had also been fulfilled. According to him, the number of ministers had been reduced to 20, while the number of government offices had been cut to 22.

Dr Chaudhry said an ordinance relating to the merger of anti-corruption and accountability institutions had been issued, while the NHA was conducting feasibility studies for two tunnels on the Neelum Valley Road.

Read: AJK arrests 72 in crackdown on banned group

Regarding Mirpur Airport, the minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed authorities to pursue the project even before JAAC raised the demand. He said feasibility work was under way, although commercial airlines had yet to show significant interest.

The minister also cited progress on hydroelectric projects, bridge construction schemes, tax relief measures, water supply projects and transport policy reforms. He said a proposal to grant property rights to refugees residing in Mandhol Colony, Dadyal, had been approved by the cabinet on Sunday.

Summing up the implementation status of the agreement, Dr Chaudhry said all clauses that could be executed through executive orders or cabinet decisions had been completed. These included compensation for the families of deceased persons, support for injured protesters, reinstatement of employees and the withdrawal of FIRs.

He argued that development projects such as roads, tunnels, airports, electrification schemes and healthcare infrastructure required longer implementation periods and could not reasonably be completed within a few months.

&ldquo;Mega projects take years to complete, whether in Azad Jammu and Kashmir or elsewhere in Pakistan,&rdquo; he said, adding that repeated protests and long marches over ongoing development schemes were unjustified.

The minister said the government possessed documentary evidence, including notifications, ordinances, compensation records and feasibility studies, to substantiate its claims.

Rejecting allegations that the October 3 agreement had largely remained unimplemented, he maintained that 35 of its 38 clauses had either been completed or substantially acted upon, while the remaining provisions were either subject to court orders or constrained by practical considerations.

Dr Chaudhry urged all stakeholders to pursue dialogue instead of confrontation, stressing that violence was not a solution to political disputes.

He warned against attempts to create unrest in AJK and questioned whether such actions served the interests of Pakistan, AJK or the broader Kashmir cause. &ldquo;The solution to these issues is not violence,&rdquo; he said, adding,&nbsp;&ldquo;The solution is dialogue. We cannot allow law and order to deteriorate or innocent lives to be lost.&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>72 held in AJK crackdown as govt defends JAAC ban</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611764/72-held-in-ajk-crackdown-as-govt-defends-jaac-ban</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611764/72-held-in-ajk-crackdown-as-govt-defends-jaac-ban#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 26 12:50:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Police say weapons and documents were recovered, while JAAC rejects allegations and vows peaceful protest]]>
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				<![CDATA[Police in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday said they had arrested around 72 individuals 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 organisation under anti-terrorism laws.

The development came after the AJK government banned the JAAC, accusing it of involvement in terrorism, promoting hatred and creating anarchy in the state ahead of a protest announced for June 9.

In a statement, the AJK Police said the arrests were made as part of efforts to maintain law and order and protect citizens&#39; lives and property.

Read: AJK govt bans Joint Awami Action Committee as tensions rise ahead of June 9 protest call

The police claimed that weapons, communication devices and suspicious documents had been recovered during the operation. Authorities also alleged they had seized material related to plans that could affect public order, as well as evidence purportedly indicating organised protest and violent activity patterns.

The statement further claimed that investigators had found indications of suspected contacts with foreign individuals and that inquiries 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 it 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 opinion, constitutional demands and lawful protest.

&ldquo;However, no individual or group will be allowed to engage in violence, incitement, use of weapons, road blockades, damage to public property or disruption of citizens&rsquo; daily lives,&rdquo; the police chief was quoted as saying.

The statement said all those arrested would face investigation and judicial proceedings under the relevant laws.

Appealing to the public to remain calm, police urged citizens to avoid rumours and inflammatory content, cooperate with law enforcement agencies and stay away from sensitive locations and unlawful gatherings.

Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining law and order, the police said all roads and markets across the state remained open.

&ldquo;No attempt to disturb peace, promote violence or incite people towards unconstitutional activities will be allowed to succeed,&rdquo; the statement said.

AJK PM defends ban

Meanwhile, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Faisal Mumtaz Rathore defended the decision to ban the JAAC, saying the move had become unavoidable 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 between the government and the committee.

Referring to negotiations with the JAAC, he said that out of 38 points, some of the 37 agreed-upon points had already been implemented, while others had been partially fulfilled.

&ldquo;If you believe that the abolition of these seats in the state is essential and consensus has to be built on the issue, then give us another five to seven days. But they did not give us that time,&rdquo; he said.

The prime minister said the situation developing in the state was creating difficulties for ordinary citizens and that the government could not allow matters to descend into chaos.

&ldquo;Given the direction in which the situation was moving, a ban on the JAAC had to be imposed,&rdquo; he said.

Asked whether elections scheduled for the 27th would be held on time, Rathore said they should proceed as planned.

&ldquo;We want to ensure that the environment which has emerged does not persist. All political parties, as well as the public, should demonstrate responsibility,&rdquo; he said.

Recalling previous negotiations, the premier said an agreement had been drafted after the last round of talks broke down but collapsed at the point of signing over a single issue.

&ldquo;When our last negotiations collapsed, an agreement was written on the table. When it was about to be signed, it broke down over one point. After that, 13 human lives were lost, and then the same agreement was eventually reached. That could have happened earlier as well,&rdquo; he said.

Responding to a question about possible Indian involvement in the unrest, Rathore said that regardless of whether India was directly involved, instability in the state would benefit New Delhi.

&ldquo;Whether India is involved or not, when disorder is created in the state in the name of rights, the greatest benefit goes to India. We have seen this in the past and we are seeing it today as well,&rdquo; he said.

&ldquo;At such a time, giving India space to exploit the situation and strengthen its narrative on Kashmir is, in my view, not appropriate for either Pakistan or Kashmir,&rdquo; he added.

Rathore warns against chaos, anarchy

Later, in a post on X, Rathore warned against anarchy and unrest, saying the state had the right to take action against lawlessness while condemning violence &ldquo;whether in the name of authority or protests&rdquo;.

He said recent statements by leaders of a proscribed group had indicated an inclination towards &ldquo;creating mass chaos, as seen in the past&rdquo;.



We condemn violence, be it in the name of authority or protests. However, every State has the right to take action against lawlessness and anarchy. Recent statements by leaders of the proscribed group had pointed to their inclination towards creating mass chaos, as seen in the&hellip; https://t.co/yTd3ZCv62T
&mdash; Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) June 6, 2026


&ldquo;We condemn violence, be it in the name of authority or protests. However, every State has the right to take action against lawlessness and anarchy,&rdquo; he wrote.

The prime minister added that there was no justification for threats against state institutions, alleging that the proscribed group had repeatedly used such tactics even while talks were ongoing.

&ldquo;I had repeatedly requested them to show some lenience in negotiations and talks as after the announcement of schedule for elections, our powers to play an effective role would be limited,&rdquo; he said.

He said the group&rsquo;s &ldquo;stubbornness and determination to overpower the State machinery&rdquo; had prevented any reasonable outcome.

&ldquo;Now they&#39;re blaming everyone but themselves, even though they are the only ones to be blamed,&rdquo; he added.

He also criticised abusive language directed at him on social media, saying it reflected the group&rsquo;s approach to resolving differences.

&ldquo;Their abusive language under my posts is reflective of their general approach of resolving differences. This could never succeed,&rdquo; he said.

JAAC rejects allegations

Separately, JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir painted a starkly different picture of the situation.

In a statement, he said internet services had been shut down across the region and that raids were being conducted to arrest Action Committee members.

Mir alleged that in Rawalakot, committee member Umar Nazir had been attacked and that another activist, Shazib Habib, had been killed.

&ldquo;Our morale is high, and our resolve is stronger than ever before. This state belongs to us, and its protection is our responsibility as well,&rdquo; he said.

He said a formal announcement regarding the future course of action would be made after consultations following the funeral prayers of Habib and reiterated that the planned long march would go ahead.

&ldquo;The long march will be carried out in full force. Our movement is entirely peaceful, and our demands are just and popular,&rdquo; he said.

Mir urged supporters to avoid damaging public or private property.

&ldquo;All comrades should refrain from any actions that could cause damage to government or private property. Our goal is construction, reform, and the attainment of rights &mdash; not damage and chaos,&rdquo; he said.

Appealing to Kashmiris abroad and human rights organisations, he said: &ldquo;We make a fervent appeal to our Kashmiri brothers around the world and to human rights organisations to become our voice and highlight this situation on the global stage.&rdquo;



تمام کشمیری عوام اور ساتھیوں کو آگاہ کیا جاتا ہے:
آزاد کشمیر میں اس وقت صورتحال انتہائی سنگین ہے۔ حکومت نے پوری وادی میں انٹرنیٹ سروسز مکمل طور پر بند کر دی ہیں۔ ایکشن کمیٹی کے ممبران کی گرفتاری کے لیے مختلف مقامات پر چھاپے مارے جا رہے ہیں۔ راولاکوٹ میں ہمارے ساتھی عمر نذیر پر&hellip;
&mdash; Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 6, 2026


He also urged supporters not to spread unverified information.

&ldquo;Fake news is being spread regarding the arrest of core members. The public is requested not to believe unverified news and to refrain from spreading rumours,&rdquo; he said, adding that supporters should avoid abusive language and maintain the traditions and values of Kashmiri society.



کور ممبران کی گرفتاری کے حوالے سے فیک نیوز چلائی جا رہی ہیں۔عوام سے گزارش ہے کہ غیر مصدقہ خبروں پر یقین نہ کریں اور افواہوں کو آگے پھیلانے سے گریز کریں۔ایک ضروری بات، کسی کو گالی نہ دیں۔ یہ کشمیریوں کی روایت نہیں۔ ہمارا مؤقف، ہماری جدوجہد اور ہمارا احتجاج دلیل، اخلاق اور شعور کے&hellip;
&mdash; Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 6, 2026


Internet disruption

Internet services remained disrupted across parts of AJK following the JAAC&#39;s call for protests on June 9.

According to NetBlocks, metrics showed a major disruption to internet connectivity in AJK.]]>
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			<title>AJK SC rules refugee seats constitutionally protected, cannot be altered</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611876/ajk-sc-rules-refugee-seats-constitutionally-protected-cannot-be-altered</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611876/ajk-sc-rules-refugee-seats-constitutionally-protected-cannot-be-altered#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 26 07:55:51 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Court says constitutional amendments must follow Article 33 and rejects changes through protests or pressure]]>
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				<![CDATA[&nbsp;

The Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday ruled that the 12 seats reserved for refugees in the Legislative Assembly are constitutionally protected and cannot be altered through administrative measures, political agreements, or public pressure, according to a detailed advisory opinion issued on a presidential reference.

The 53-member AJK Legislative Assembly includes 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees who migrated from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir during the conflicts of 1947 and 1965 and are now settled across Pakistan.

Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division, estimated at around 434,000 people, while six represent refugees from the Kashmir Valley, whose population is estimated at about 30,000.

The issue of refugee representation has long been a key demand of the now-banned&nbsp;Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which led a series of protests last year that turned violent and resulted in several deaths.

In its opinion, the court reaffirmed that the refugee seats are guaranteed under Article 22 of the AJK Constitution and are rooted in a long legislative history dating back to electoral arrangements introduced in 1960 and subsequent constitutional reforms in 1964 and 1970.

The court described the seats as a &ldquo;constitutional expression of a profound historical and juridical truth&rdquo; arising from the displacement of Kashmiris following the 1947 partition and subsequent conflict. It noted that the arrangement was further strengthened through successive legal instruments before being explicitly incorporated into the Constitution through the 13th Amendment.

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&nbsp;

Emphasising constitutional supremacy, the court held that any change to the composition of the Assembly can only be made through the amendment procedure laid down in Article 33.

&ldquo;The provisions of the Constitution may be amended in accordance with Article 33,&rdquo; the opinion stated, adding that the amendment process is &ldquo;exhaustive and exclusive&rdquo; and that no authority other than the legislature can lawfully alter constitutional provisions.

The court said executive orders, political agreements, and public agitation have no legal effect in changing the Constitution, stressing that constitutional change must occur through &ldquo;public mandate, parliamentary debate and constitutional procedure&rdquo;.

A significant portion of the opinion addressed the use of protests and blockades to press political demands. While affirming that peaceful assembly is a fundamental right, the court said the right is &ldquo;neither absolute nor unrestricted&rdquo; and must be exercised in a manner consistent with public order and the rights of others.

The court warned that road blockades, forced business closures and disruptions to supply routes fall outside constitutional protection. &ldquo;The exercise of one Fundamental Right cannot be permitted in a manner that substantially impairs or destroys the Fundamental Rights guaranteed to others,&rdquo; it said.

It further observed that attempts to secure constitutional change through coercive means are &ldquo;legally unenforceable&rdquo; and incompatible with the rule of law. &ldquo;The Constitution protects peaceful dissent; it does not protect conduct that undermines public order,&rdquo; the opinion added.

The court also underscored the constitutional requirement to hold timely elections, referring to Article 22(4), which mandates that general elections be conducted within the prescribed period.

Describing the obligation as mandatory and non-negotiable, the court said constitutional timelines &ldquo;admit of no exception&rdquo; and cannot be delayed due to political uncertainty or public agitation.

It directed the Election Commission and relevant executive authorities to ensure that free, fair and transparent elections are conducted within the constitutionally mandated timeframe, while maintaining conditions necessary for polling.

Tracing the historical evolution of refugee representation, the court noted that refugee seats have existed in various forms since 1960 and have been consistently retained through successive constitutional and legal frameworks.

It described the arrangement as a &ldquo;continuously affirmed constitutional principle&rdquo; reflecting the political status of displaced Kashmiris and said its uninterrupted continuation demonstrates that refugee representation is a &ldquo;deep-rooted constitutional commitment&rdquo; rather than a temporary administrative measure.

The court reiterated that its opinion is advisory in nature and does not create enforceable orders between parties. It said the purpose of the reference was to assist constitutional authorities rather than adjudicate a dispute in the conventional sense.

The ruling comes two days after the AJK government declared&nbsp;JAAC a proscribed organisation, accusing it of involvement in terrorism, promoting hatred and creating anarchy ahead of the group&#39;s planned protest on June 9.

&nbsp;

The move also came hours after the AJK Election Commission announced that general elections for the Legislative Assembly will be held on July 27. The commission said preparations were under way to ensure transparent, orderly and impartial elections under judicial supervision.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) criticised the government&#39;s decision to ban JAAC.

&ldquo;If JAAC was truly a terrorist organisation, why did the government spend months negotiating with it, signing agreements with it, implementing its demands, holding meetings with its leadership and treating it as a legitimate stakeholder until yesterday?&rdquo; the party said in a statement.

The 12 seats

The issue of refugee representation has long been a key demand of the JAAC, which led a series of protests last year that turned violent and resulted in the deaths of several people.

The region witnessed one of its most turbulent periods in October of 2025 when protests led by the JAAC erupted over demands for constitutional and governance reforms. At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.

The JAAC, which organised the protests and strike, had presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.

Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

The unrest also triggered political upheaval in the region. The Pakistan Peoples Party subsequently moved a no-confidence resolution against then prime minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz&nbsp;joining the effort. Haq, who had been elected in April 2023 with 48 votes, chose to face the vote rather than resign.

On Nov 17, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore secured 36 votes in the election and became the 16th prime minister of AJK.

With elections now approaching and the refugee seat issue still unresolved, the AJK government convened an All Parties Conference (APC) in Muzaffarabad to build consensus. Almost every major party attended &mdash; except PTI and the JAAC, who boycotted it.

The JAAC&#39;s position is that the government had already rejected its written proposals submitted on May 30, so attending would be futile. It had proposed either keeping symbolic refugee representation until the Kashmir dispute is permanently resolved, or replacing the 12 assembly seats with 4 seats in the AJK Council &mdash; a body chaired by the prime minister, which it argued would better preserve the political dimension of the Kashmir cause.

The APC rejected any changes outside the constitutional and legislative framework, saying only the elected assembly could alter refugee seat arrangements. The JAAC called the resolution &quot;a page and a half of utterly trivial lines&quot; and accused participants of gathering to serve their own interests rather than the public&#39;s.]]>
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			<title>NDMA warns of nationwide rain, thunderstorms over next 24 hours</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599229/ndma-warns-of-nationwide-rain-thunderstorms-over-next-24-hours</link>
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			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 26 13:52:42 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Says various parts of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to see rain with thunderstorms]]>
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				<![CDATA[The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday warned of nationwide thunderstorms and rainfall over the next 12 to 24 hours.

According to an advisory issued by the authority, a system of western winds entering from the southwestern belt of Balochistan is likely to affect most regions, bringing rain accompanied by strong winds and gusty storms.

The NDMA cautioned that ongoing rainfall may lead to urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock and Chakwal. Residents in vulnerable localities have been advised to remain alert and take precautionary measures to minimise potential damage.

Rain with thunderstorms and strong winds is expected in Islamabad and several cities of Punjab, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Mianwali and Mandi Bahauddin over the next 12 to 24 hours. Rainfall is also likely in Khushab, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Kasur, Okara, Narowal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan.

Read: Govt proposes optional multi-tariff system for industries

The advisory stated that various parts of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) are expected to experience rain accompanied by thunderstorms, dust storms and strong winds, with chances of hailstorms at isolated locations.

In view of the anticipated downpour, the NDMA has issued an alert for possible flooding in several districts of K-P and Balochistan. Flash floods are forecast in Balochistan, particularly in Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Khuzdar, Zhob and Lasbela.

In K-P, flood-like conditions are expected in Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Parachinar, Peshawar, Mardan and Swabi. Authorities have advised precautionary measures in vulnerable areas.

Snowfall is also expected in the upper and mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and K-P during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Rain with thunderstorms and strong winds is likely in several districts of K-P, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur. Dust storms, strong winds and rain are also expected in Swabi, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Kohat, Karak, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan.

NDMA also forecast rainfall in parts of G-B and Azad Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Astore, Diamer, Ghizer, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli and Neelum Valley.

In Balochistan, rain is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Dera Bugti, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar and Lasbela during the same period.

Also Read: Doha flights resume as Pakistan restores Middle East air links after 25-day disruption

Rain with thunderstorms is also expected in Sindh cities including Kashmore, Jacobabad, Sukkur, Shahdadkot, Khairpur and Larkana.

The NDMA warned that strong winds, lightning and hailstorms may damage weak structures, trees and power lines. Rainfall could make roads slippery and disrupt traffic flow, while snowfall in mountainous areas is likely to affect travel.

Continuous rainfall in hilly regions may heighten the risk of landslides. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, drive cautiously and follow official weather advisories. During strong winds and storms, the public has been urged to stay away from trees, fragile structures and installations.

The authority also advised tourists and travellers heading to northern areas to be cautious and check weather and road conditions in advance, while encouraging citizens to obtain timely updates through its official mobile application, &ldquo;Pak NDMA Disaster Alert.&rdquo;

Meanwhile, the NDMA has directed all provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert and take necessary measures to cope with the expected weather situation.]]>
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			<title>AJK President Sultan Mahmood laid to rest with state, military honours</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590270/ajk-president-sultan-mahmood-laid-to-rest-with-state-military-honours</link>
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			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 26 18:15:09 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[M A Mir]]>
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				<![CDATA[Funeral prayer was offered at Quaid-e-Azam Cricket Stadium in Mirpur]]>
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				<![CDATA[Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry was laid to rest on Sunday at his ancestral graveyard in his native village of Chechian with full state and military honours. Prior to the burial, his funeral prayer was offered at the Quaid-e-Azam Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, where thousands of people gathered to pay their last respects.

The funeral prayer was attended by AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Pakistan Peoples Party AJK President Chaudhry Yasin, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir, Supreme Court Chief Justice Raja Akram Saeed, senior officers of the Pakistan Army and bureaucracy, former presidents and prime ministers, lawmakers, as well as a large number of social, religious, and political figures representing various schools of thought.

Following the funeral prayers, he was laid to rest in the ancestral graveyard of Chechian.&nbsp;After the burial, the national flag was presented to his son and Physical Planning and Housing Minister Yasir Sultan Chaudhry.

Chaudhry became the first leader from AJK to be buried with a gun carriage &mdash; a distinguished honour that has been conferred on only five personalities in Pakistan&rsquo;s history. Previously, the distinction was accorded to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, General Muhammad Ziaul Haq, Abdul Sattar Edhi, and Dr&nbsp;Ruth Pfau.

A guard of honour was also presented to the late leader during the funeral ceremony. The atmosphere was sombre, and mourners were visibly in tears. Special prayers were offered for the departed soul, and tributes were paid to his decades-long political and diplomatic services for the Kashmiri cause.

Chaudhry passed away&nbsp;at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness on Saturday. He had also served as the prime minister of AJK from 1996 to 2001. In addition, he was the president of the Pakistan Peoples Party in AJK from 1991 to 2001.]]>
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			<title>India's disinformation campaign on CPEC and AJK</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2553477/indias-disinformation-campaign-on-cpec-and-ajk</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2553477/indias-disinformation-campaign-on-cpec-and-ajk#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jun 25 17:24:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Javed Iqbal]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2553477</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The writer is a freelance contributor with special focus on issues related to international and national security]]>
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				<![CDATA[George Wilhelm once remarked, &ldquo;The most important lesson of history is that nobody has ever learned a lesson from history.&quot; This observation seems particularly relevant today, as Indian leadership appears to be repeating past mistakes&mdash;this time by spreading misleading narratives about Pakistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In the latest wave of disinformation, Indian media has alleged that Pakistan is diverting Azad Jammu and Kashmir&rsquo;s (AJK) development budget to finance Chinese-led CPEC projects. These claims are not only baseless but also reflect a familiar pattern of state-backed media campaigns that have previously resulted in international embarrassment for India.

During a recent escalation in India-Pakistan tensions, several reputable global outlets&mdash;including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Reuters, TRT, Al Jazeera, and the BBC&mdash;exposed fabricated stories promoted by Indian media.

According to The Washington Post, numerous Indian news channels, seemingly influenced by the ruling BJP government, broadcast unverified and false reports, including fictitious military victories and staged unrest. These actions blurred the line between journalism and propaganda, misleading audiences both domestically and internationally.

Channels such as Zee News, NDTV, Aaj Tak, and Times Now even misrepresented video footage from other conflict zones&mdash;such as Gaza and Sudan&mdash;as scenes from Pakistan. Such manipulated visuals not only undermined journalistic integrity but also severely damaged India&rsquo;s credibility.

A senior Indian security official later admitted, &ldquo;False information was a strategy, but it backfired on our own people.&rdquo; This rare confession underscored the risks associated with misinformation campaigns, particularly in a region as sensitive as South Asia.

India&rsquo;s recent claims regarding CPEC funding in AJK follow this same pattern of distortion. Contrary to these assertions, projects under the CPEC framework are financed through a combination of Chinese investments, concessional loans, and allocations from Pakistan&rsquo;s federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

These funds are entirely separate from AJK&rsquo;s regional development budget and are designated for specific infrastructure goals.

It is especially ironic for India to question development spending in AJK, given its own policies in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and&nbsp;Kashmir (IIOJK). Since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, local governance in IIOJK has been weakened, with development budgets centrally controlled and often diverted to security and militarization rather than public welfare.

Reports of land dispossession, high unemployment, digital blackouts, and human rights violations further expose the gap between India&rsquo;s narrative of &quot;normalcy&quot; and the actual conditions in the region.

In contrast, CPEC-related projects in AJK&mdash;such as the Kohala Hydropower Project and improvements in road infrastructure&mdash;are designed to bring long-term socioeconomic benefits. These initiatives, developed in consultation with local authorities, promote job creation, energy generation, and regional connectivity, aligning with Pakistan&rsquo;s broader goals for inclusive development.

India&rsquo;s disinformation efforts must also be seen within the wider context of its opposition to China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and attempts to destabilize regional cooperation that could bolster Pakistan&rsquo;s economic strength. The aim appears to be clear: to sow discord among local communities and undermine confidence in Pakistan-China collaboration.

Nevertheless, Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to AJK&rsquo;s development remains unwavering. Budgetary adjustments occur due to shifting national priorities, emergencies, or unforeseen challenges&mdash;not as part of any scheme to divert funds for foreign-backed projects.

Over the years, AJK has witnessed real progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and energy&mdash;achievements made possible through consistent investment and federal support.

India&rsquo;s recent allegations are factually unfounded and appear to be an effort to deflect attention from its internal challenges in Kashmir, as well as its discomfort over CPEC&rsquo;s growing success. For the people of AJK, this initiative represents not a threat but a promising path toward prosperity.

Ultimately, India&rsquo;s attempts to spread economic misinformation are unlikely to withstand the reality of on-the-ground progress and local support for CPEC.]]>
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			<title>Pre-monsoon rains forecast from June 20</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2551668/pre-monsoon-rains-forecast-from-june-20</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2551668/pre-monsoon-rains-forecast-from-june-20#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 25 14:52:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2551668</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Thunderstorms expected in upper Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan is set to receive widespread pre-monsoon rainfall from June 20 to 23, offering relief from the severe heatwave gripping several regions, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Wednesday.

The wet spell is expected to bring dust storms, rain-wind and thundershowers to large parts of the country, with isolated areas also likely to experience heavy rainfall and hailstorms.

The PMD said unstable weather would develop due to moist currents from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, as well as a westerly wave expected to enter the upper parts of the country on June 20.



https://publish.twitter.com/?url=https://twitter.com/pmdgov/status/1935652865072353764#



&ldquo;Windstorms and lightning may cause damage to vulnerable structures such as electric poles, trees, solar panels, and parked vehicles,&rdquo; the Met Office warned. It added that the ongoing heatwave was likely to subside gradually during the forecast period.

From June 20 to 23, rain and thunderstorms are forecast in upper and central Punjab, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Lahore, Faisalabad, Jhang, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, and Sargodha.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa&rsquo;s upper districts &mdash; including Peshawar, Swat, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dir and Waziristan &mdash; will also experience rain and gusty winds. Similar conditions are expected in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Murree and Galliyat.

The Met Office predicted more scattered rain from June 21 to 23 in parts of south Punjab and northeastern Balochistan, particularly Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, and Zhob.



ملک بھر میں 20سے 23جون کے دوران گرج چمک کے ساتھ بارش کی پیشگوئی#raininislamabad #heavyrain #raininislamabad #heavyrain #weather #weatherupdate #lahore #winter #weatherforecast #RainUpdate #PakistanWeather #PreMonsoon2025 #WeatherNews #HeavyRain #RainForecast #PakistanRain&hellip; pic.twitter.com/zAy1L9XYqP
&mdash; APP (@appcsocialmedia) June 19, 2025


From June 22 to 24, pre-monsoon activity is likely to reach Sindh&rsquo;s upper districts such as Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu and Jacobabad.

The department warned of possible urban flooding in low-lying areas of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, and Islamabad during heavy downpours.

Farmers have been advised to plan agricultural activities accordingly. The public and tourists were urged to avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable or flood-prone areas.

&ldquo;All concerned authorities are advised to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to mitigate any untoward situation,&rdquo; the PMD said.]]>
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			<title>Kashmir resolution vital for stability</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2557503/kashmir-resolution-vital-for-stability</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2557503/kashmir-resolution-vital-for-stability#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 25 20:41:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[NEWS DESK.]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Islamabad]]></category><category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter leader Altaf Ahmad Bhat has said that resolving the Kashmir dispute is vital for establishing lasting peace.

According to the Kashmir Media Service, Bhat made the remarks during a meeting in Islamabad with Babar Foundation Chairman Sardar Babar Abbasi and Sardar Lal Khan Abbasi. He urged the United Nations to implement its resolutions on Kashmir and grant the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination.]]>
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			<title>PMD issues flood, landslide warning as heavy rains expected in northern parts from Sept 26 to Oct 1</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2497969/pmd-issues-flood-landslide-warning-as-heavy-rains-expected-in-northern-parts-from-sept-26-to-oct-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2497969/pmd-issues-flood-landslide-warning-as-heavy-rains-expected-in-northern-parts-from-sept-26-to-oct-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Sep 24 19:48:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[news.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2497969</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Meanwhile, hot and dry weather is predicted for Balochistan and Sindh during this period]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a warning on Sunday about the potential for heavy rains from September 26 to October 1, which could lead to flooding and landslides, particularly in the low-lying and northern regions of the country.&nbsp;

The Met Office indicated that moist currents from the Bay of Bengal are expected to enter the upper parts of the country starting September 25, alongside a westerly wave that will approach from September 26.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Heavy rains may increase flow in local nullas/streams in Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Nowshera, Swabi, Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Northeast Punjab during the forecast period,&rdquo; the statement read.

Urban flooding is anticipated in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Sialkot, while landslides could disrupt road access in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan throughout the forecast period.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms are expected in regions including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kurram, Orakzai, and Kohat from September 26 to October 1.&nbsp;

Heavy rainfall is anticipated from September 27 to October 1 in Hangu, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, and Dera Ismail Khan, with occasional breaks in precipitation.

In Punjab, the Met Office forecasts rain with thundershowers in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Wazirabad from September 26 to October 1.&nbsp;

Heavy rains accompanied by thundershowers are expected in Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, and Bhakkar from September 27 to October 1.

In Azad Kashmir, rain with thundershowers is projected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from September 26 to October 2.

The northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan is also expected to experience rain and thunderstorms from September 26 to October 2, particularly in Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Ghanche, and Shigar.

Meanwhile, hot and dry weather is predicted for Balochistan and Sindh during this period. However, isolated rain, wind, and thunderstorms are expected in Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Umerkot, and surrounding areas from September 26 to 28.

The Met Office cautioned that windstorms and lightning could damage fragile structures, including mud houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Outcry as India books Kashmiri father seeking son’s body under anti-terror laws</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2283247/outcry-as-india-books-kashmiri-father-seeking-sons-body-under-anti-terror-laws</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2283247/outcry-as-india-books-kashmiri-father-seeking-sons-body-under-anti-terror-laws#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 09 Feb 21 09:52:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2283247</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mushtaq Ahmed and six others, including his two brothers, were charged under India's harsh laws last week]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Indian police have charged a Kashmiri man seeking the body of his teenage son, who was martyred by the occupation forces in a fake encounter during the last week of December 2020, under the anti-terror law.

&ldquo;Police said Mushtaq Ahmed and six others, including his two brothers, were charged last week under India&rsquo;s harsh anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,&rdquo; the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The victim, Athar Mushtaq Wani, along with two others was killed by Indian troops during a fake encounter in the Lawaypora&nbsp;area of Srinagar on December 30, 2020.

The Indian authorities had buried them in a remote graveyard about 115 kilometers (70 miles) from their ancestral villages.

&ldquo;Under a policy started in April 2020, Indian authorities have buried over 150 alleged Kashmiri rebels in unmarked graves, denying their families proper funerals. The policy has added to widespread anti-India anger in the region,&rdquo; the&nbsp;AP reported.

The young men&rsquo;s families have protested repeatedly seeking their bodies while insisting they were not militants and were killed in cold blood.

The killings and remote burial drew widespread public mourning. Videos on social media in which Ahmed sought his son&rsquo;s body triggered an outburst of emotions as thousands rallied behind a &ldquo;return the bodies&rdquo; campaign, it added.

&ldquo;Last month, Ahmed dug a grave for his son at his village, demanding that his body be exhumed and returned for burial at his ancestral graveyard. The grave remains empty,&rdquo; AP added.

Meanwhile, India is being vehemently criticised, both at home and abroad, for registering a case under draconian laws against a father of one of the three Srinagar fake encounter victims for demanding the body of his martyred son, Kashmir Media Servive (KMS) reported.

Following strong criticism by Hurriyat forum, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and former IIOJK Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, India is being grilled globally for booking the father for demanding his son&rsquo;s body.

Saudi Arabia based English Daily, Arab News, while quoting a Kashmiri human rights lawyer, Habeel Iqbal, said it had been a cruel decision to book the family under anti-terror laws.

&ldquo;A father demanding the dead body of his son is being booked under the anti-terror legislation is an instance where the law is being used as an instrument of oppression to create a sense of fear among citizens, an attempt to create a reign of terror in the minds of ordinary citizens,&rdquo; he added.

He pointed out that the policy of not returning the dead bodies of the youth was a &ldquo;violation of international armed conflict law and humanitarian law&quot;.

Describing the move as &ldquo;absurd,&rdquo; Delhi-based Kashmiri activist, Nasir Khuehami, told Arab News that: &ldquo;Since they couldn&rsquo;t silence Mushtaq, they booked him. If the intimidation doesn&rsquo;t work, they&rsquo;ll jail him with more fake cases.

This is the new Kashmir, where demanding the return of a son&rsquo;s dead body is an unlawful activity. &ldquo;Things are going from bad to worse. If the government believes that it can Indianise Kashmir by such acts, then it is living in a fool&rsquo;s world,&rdquo; he added.

Anuradha Bhasin, Jammu-based senior journalist and editor of the English newspaper Kashmir Times, said: &ldquo;This creates more alienations. If you close all space to seeking legal recourse to justice, if you close down all democratic spaces, if you shoot down messengers and those seeking justice then you are creating more alienation and lack of faith in the government.&rdquo;

Mushtaq Wani told Arab News: &ldquo;I demanded from the authorities whether they have any proof, any footage, or any camera evidence about my son&rsquo;s nefarious activities. I asked them to show that my son was a militant.&rdquo;

The newspaper wrote that despite protests by family members pleading the teenager&rsquo;s innocence, the local administration buried the three bodies in a remote graveyard more than 100 kilometers away from their native Pulwama district in south Kashmir, KMS added.]]>
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			<title>First NGMS spectrum auction for AJK, G-B held in Islamabad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2322484/first-ngms-spectrum-auction-for-ajk-g-b-held-in-islamabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2322484/first-ngms-spectrum-auction-for-ajk-g-b-held-in-islamabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Sep 21 06:36:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2322484</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Total revenue generated from spectrum auction process stands at over $30 million]]>
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				<![CDATA[The first cellular spectrum auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) in Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) was successfully held on Wednesday at the&nbsp;Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)&#39;s headquarters in Islamabad.

According to a press release issued by the authority, the electronic auction was participated in by two operators, CMPak (Zong)&nbsp;and PMCL (Jazz) for the 1,800 MHz band.

The electronic auction went up to 18 rounds and was concluded by declaring Zong as the winner of 10 MHz (2 blocks of 5 MHz) in 1,800 MHz band against the price of $14.398 million.

The communique further added that the spectrum sold in the 1,800 MHz band was 85 per cent of the total offered spectrum in the said band for AJK and G-B.

Furthermore, Telenor, Ufone and Zong have also won 1.2 MHz in 1,800 MHz band.

Telenor Pakistan was declared a winner in the 2,100 MHz band for a spectrum of 15 MHz against the set base price, the press release added. The spectrum sold in 2100 MHz band is 50 pc of the total offered spectrum in the said band, it said.

Read&nbsp;High-speed internet to boost work from home

The total revenue generated from this spectrum auction process for AJK &amp; GB stood at over $30 million.

&ldquo;PTA completed the auction process with the assistance of internationally reputed consultant JV Telconet / Frontier Economics who was on-board since April 2021, and conducted thorough consultation with cellular industry and other stakeholders,&rdquo; the press release stated, adding that the federal government constituted an Auction Advisory Committee in October 2020 under the chairmanship of (then) finance minister.

The Policy Directive was issued on August&nbsp;11, 2021 under which the PTA initiated the process for fair and transparent spectrum auction process ensuring consumer interests, the communique stated.

It concluded that the addition of the spectrum would help Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) to provide better data and voice services in the two regions currently being focused on the promotion of tourism.]]>
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			<title>India’s illegal actions in IIOJK pave way for international intervention: PM’s aide</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2283024/indias-illegal-actions-in-iiojk-pave-way-for-international-intervention-pms-aide</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2283024/indias-illegal-actions-in-iiojk-pave-way-for-international-intervention-pms-aide#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Feb 21 13:34:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2283024</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[India is behaving like a rogue state and playing a role of spoiler in Afghan peace process, says Moeed Yusuf]]>
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				<![CDATA[New Delhi&rsquo;s unilateral actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have paved the way for the international community to intervene and resolve the longstanding dispute, Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security Moeed yusuf has said.

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Yusuf reiterated&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s commitment to peace, including with India, but called on the world to compel India to implement international law vis-a-vis Kashmir, i e, UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions that call for a plebiscite in the Muslim-majority region.

Expressing willingness to take things forward, the PM&rsquo;s aide said: &quot;Pakistan will take two steps if India takes one.&quot;

The Kashmir issue, he said, is a tragedy of human suffering and Pakistan has always stood and will continue to stand by the Kashmiris till their right to self-determination is exercised.

&ldquo;Yes, it&#39;s a territorial issue. But first and foremost, it is the human suffering Pakistan wants to stop.&rdquo;

He said the solidarity day was observed to prove that every Pakistani stands for the Kashmir cause. &ldquo;We may have our differences; we may have political ramblings and debates. But when it comes to standing for the Kashmiris, all are one.&rdquo;

Yusuf&nbsp;also said that the situation is not entirely hopeless as India is being censured every day in the Western media.

&ldquo;People are writing about human rights violations. It&#39;s not only Pakistan; the UN secretary-general has given two major statements, the OIC foreign ministers recently made a clear resolution, the UNSC held three discussions since August 5, 2019.&rdquo;

On August 5 last year, the Modi-led government removed the legal fig leaf from IIOJK&nbsp;when it abrogated Article 370 of its constitution, which accorded ostensible &ldquo;autonomy&rdquo; to the state, and bifurcated it into two &ldquo;Union Territories&rdquo; of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

He said Indian is behaving a like a rogue actor in the region and it is engaged in a conflict with not just Pakistan but with China and Nepal as well.

&ldquo;Not just Pakistan, there has been a conflict with China. Nepal has gotten up and passed parliamentary resolutions with a new map and taken on India. Bangladesh has raised its voice. Its relations are not good with Sri Lanka.

&ldquo;We even pointed out that India is being a spoiler in Afghanistan, undermining Pakistani sovereignty and stability. That&#39;s the adversity you&#39;re dealing with.&rdquo;

The PM&#39;s aide said IIOJK is under occupation and occupation forces have turned it into an open jail. &ldquo;Humans are not being treated like humans; that reality has to change for things to move forward.&rdquo;

Civil-military relations

Yusuf&nbsp;said Prime Minister Imran Khan&nbsp; is fully empowered to make all decisions and it is his right to call upon military for anything and everything that is constitutional.

&ldquo;Today, civilians are empowered to decide on everything, and both civil and military leaderships are on the same page,&rdquo; he added.

&ldquo;If our detractors or adversaries want to keep talking about the old narrative to project a negative perception of Pakistan, good luck to them. I am just telling you that a person with my background would not be sitting in this office if what you say had been true.

Dealing with international and domestic challenges

Yusuf also said the real genius of policymaking is manoeuvrings to your advantage in a constrained environment.

&ldquo;And yes, we are in a constrained environment.&rdquo;

He said there are challenges, but also the opportunities are vast. &ldquo;We are dealing with a country with one of the largest youth bulges in the world. It is incumbent upon us to turn this youth bulge into a real dividend. That&#39;s what we are working towards.&rdquo;]]>
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			<title>OIC panel reaffirms unwavering support to Kashmiris’ just struggle</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282930/oic-panel-reaffirms-unwavering-support-to-kashmiris-just-struggle</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282930/oic-panel-reaffirms-unwavering-support-to-kashmiris-just-struggle#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 21 17:25:17 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[APP]]>
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				<![CDATA[Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir holds virtual meeting in NY]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation&rsquo;s Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, which held a virtual meeting in New York on Friday, reaffirmed its &ldquo;unwavering&rdquo; support to their &ldquo;just&rdquo; struggle for the exercise of their right to self-determination under the United Nations resolutions.

The meeting, in which permanent representatives of Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Niger and Azerbaijan took part, was organised to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The OIC Secretary-General was represented by the Permanent Representative of the OIC Observer Mission to the UN in New York, Ambassador Agshin Mehdiyev.

A statement issued by the Contact Group in New York expressed &quot;deep concern&quot; at the continued violations by India of the fundamental human rights in IIOJ&amp;K.

The Contact Group called on the UN Secretary-General, the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council to urge India to halt the human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, rescind the unilateral and illegal measures taken on and after August 5, 2019, and to implement the Security Council resolutions calling for a plebiscite to enable the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination.

At the outset, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed the ambassadorial-level from Islamabad, apprising the members about the grave situation in IIOJ&amp;K, saying that the over 550 days of the New Delhi&#39;s siege had exacerbated the already dire humanitarian conditions for the people.

Qureshi said a unified political message to India from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) would be critical to help rescind Indian unilateral actions, end human rights abuses and seek a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

The minister said the steadfast and resolute support of the organisation was a source of great strength to the Kashmiri people in their just and legitimate struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination.

&quot;We should forcefully demand India to rescind its illegal and unilateral actions in IIOJK; halt its egregious human rights violations; provide access to human rights organisations, including the UN fact-finding mission and the OIC IPHRC,&quot; he said.

The foreign minister also sought the OIC&rsquo;s role to seek a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council&rsquo;s resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.

He hoped that the Contact Group meeting would help identify action-oriented and practical steps to this end.

He said during its 47th session in Niamey last November, the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) mandated the Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir to meet regularly and to continue highlighting the Kashmir issue, including at the United Nations.

&quot;It is gratifying that the New York Chapter of the Contact Group is playing a prominent role in this collective effort,&quot; he said and lauded Azerbaijan, Niger, Saudi Arabia and Turkey for showing solidarity with the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The leadership of the OIC Secretary General has been equally instrumental, he added.]]>
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			<title>PDM will praise me if offered NRO: PM</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282934/pdm-will-praise-me-if-offered-nro-pm</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282934/pdm-will-praise-me-if-offered-nro-pm#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 21 18:09:35 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Imran Khan says India tried to get Pakistan blacklisted by FATF but failed]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the opposition parties that are part of an 11-party anti-government alliance &ndash; the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) &ndash; will declare him the best person on earth if he offers them an NRO &ndash; a reprieve from corruption cases.

&ldquo;They [opposition] will say that I am a gem of a person who has properly highlighted the issue of Kashmir, if they get an NRO,&rdquo; the premier said while talking to a private news channel in Kotli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

The premier was apparently referring to the PDM&rsquo;s leader&rsquo;s Friday speeches at their Muzaffarabad rally to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day. At the rally, the opposition leaders criticized the premier over his &ldquo;failure&rdquo; to stop India from illegally annexing Kashmir in August 2019.

The PM, while addressing a mammoth gathering in Kotli on Friday also lambasted the PDM and said: &quot;I&#39;m ready for any sort of agreement, but I will never offer an NRO to the looters. I will help the opposition out with organizing their long march anywhere they want, but will not give them the NRO&quot;.

Leaders of the opposition parties on Thursday geared up for a decisive battle against the PTI led government as they announced that the PDM would stage a long march to Islamabad on March 26.

Talking with reference to the long march, Imran on Saturday said the PDM may as well try a long march.

&ldquo;No matter what they do, I won&rsquo;t give them an NRO. They [PDM] must bear in mind that people don&rsquo;t support looters. People around the world have come out on the streets to protest against corruption. Has anyone ever come out on the streets to support corruption of political leaders,&rdquo; the premier said.

Criticizing the PML-N supreme leader, he said Nawaz Sharif is hiding abroad along with his children.

&ldquo;The families of his brother as well as their munshi [former finance minister Ishaq Dar] are also hiding abroad. They see people as fools but those who treat people as fools are the greatest fool themselves,&rdquo; the premier said.

India&rsquo;s failed attempts

Imran said India has failed in getting Pakistan placed in the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an inter-governmental body that makes policies to curb money laundering and terror financing.

&ldquo;India is delusional if it thinks it can suppress Pakistan. New Delhi could never isolate Islamabad from the rest of the world. We have asked India to resolve the Kashmir conflict through dialogue,&quot; he said, adding that the issue of Kashmir has once again come into the limelight internationally.

In his speech at Kotli on Friday, Prime Minister Imran said the entire Pakistan stands united for the cause of Kashmir as it wants to bring an end to the atrocities and barbarities being committed by India.

&ldquo;Plebiscite in light of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions is the only solution to the Kashmir dispute. India could never win over the resolute Kashmiri people by using force.

&quot;World history tells that no army could ever win over a population. When a nation stood united, it defeated even the powerful armies. The United States, a super power, could not win in Vietnam... No super power could win in Afghanistan... France could not win over population in Algeria,&rdquo; he said.

Reiterating his commitment to raise the Kashmiris&#39; voice across the world as &quot;Ambassador of Kashmir&quot;, the prime minister said instead of suppressing the Kashmiri people, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s &ldquo;Hindutva ideology&rdquo; would destroy the Indian society.

&quot;The issue of Kashmir has been lingering since 1948. It could be resolved the way other international disputes like that of East Timor were resolved. [However] Kashmiris should be given the right to decide their fate,&quot; he said.

According to the premier, he invited Indian PM Narendra Modi several times to come to the negotiating table to resolve the crisis as dialogue is the only viable solution.

&quot;I realized following [February 2019] Pulwama incident that they [Indians] don&#39;t want peace or friendly ties [with Pakistan], and intend to use the issue for political gains. [But] I&#39;m still asking Modi to resolve the Kashmir issue through talks,&rdquo; the premier said.

Imran clarified that this invitation for dialogue should not be seen as a sign of weakness or fear.&quot;

&quot;Pakistan is the country of people who don&#39;t fear anyone but Allah; never have and never will,&quot; he maintained. &quot;Those who bow before Allah don&#39;t bow before anyone else.&quot; PM observed that today, no one who has the support of the Indian government could win elections from occupied Kashmir.]]>
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			<title>India misleading world on human rights violations in IIOJK: AJK president</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282790/india-misleading-world-on-human-rights-violations-in-iiojk-ajk-president</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282790/india-misleading-world-on-human-rights-violations-in-iiojk-ajk-president#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 21 13:14:44 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Sardar Masood says occupation forces is crushing defenceless, weak and unarmed Kashmiri people]]>
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				<![CDATA[Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan has said that India is misguiding the European governments and the US administration as well as other international institutions that it&rsquo;s fighting against &ldquo;terrorists&rdquo; in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

&quot;The reality is somewhat different and India in fact is crushing defenceless, weak and unarmed Kashmiri people, and depriving them of their homeland, businesses and livelihood and engaged in the genocide of the inhabitants of the disputed territory,&quot; he added.

The AJK president made these remarks on Friday while addressing Kashmir Solidarity Conference organised by Tehreek-e-Kashmir United Kingdom (TeK UK) President Faheem Kayani through video link, which was also participated and addressed by more than 40 UK members of parliament and leaders of the Kashmiri community living in Britain.

The UK MPs, who spoke on occasion and expressed solidarity with the people of IIOJK, were included, Robbie Moore, Gill Furniss, Tony Lloyd, Steve Baker, Nadia Whittome, Yasmin Qureshi, Richard Burgon, Stephen Timms, Sarah Owen, Rachel Hopkins, Paul Bristow, James Daly, Kate Hollern, Andrew Gwynne, Sara Britcliffe, Afzal Khan, Alison Thewliss, Rebecca Longbailey, Imran Hussain, John Spellar, Shabana Mahmood, Tahir Ali, Sam Tarry, Lillian Greenwood, Liam Byrne, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Lord Wajid Khan, Debbie Abraham, Hilary Benn, Paul Blomfield, Cheryl Gillan, and former member of European parliament Phil Bennion.




There is one voice missing from the Kashmir conflict &amp; that is of the Kashmiri themselves

On this #KashmirSolidarityDay I reaffirm my commitment to providing a voice for the voiceless

I promise to keep the plight of Kashmiris alive in Parliament (3/4) pic.twitter.com/MqgYVo6EIE
&mdash; Afzal Khan MP 💙 (@Afzal4Gorton) February 5, 2021



&nbsp;

President Masood urged them to use their influence, and convey to the governments of the western countries that if they failed to block the Indian military adventurism, the rule of law and the world order would no longer be in place in the world.

India, he said, is committing the crimes against humanity, and at the same time, it wants that the world not to speak about its inhuman actions.

The AJK president expressed gratitude to the UK and the European parliaments, media and the civil society for supporting the Kashmir cause but he also complained that the powerful governments of these countries are silent over the Indian repression and the worst violations of human rights as well as the genocide of Kashmiri people at the hands of the Indian army, and are thus showing negligence towards their international obligations. &quot;Their silence is encouraging India to trample human rights in Kashmir.&quot;

He asserted that the UK MPs must not support the Kashmiri people mere to seek votes from the Kashmiri community in their constituencies but they should support the Kashmiri people because they are being deprived of their civil liberties and rights.

Sardar Masood suggested that economic sanctions should be imposed on India for committing crimes against humanity in the Himalayan disputed territory, and the western countries should avoid making an investment in India until and unless it is ready to grant the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people.

He prevailed upon the UN Security Council, the UN secretary-general and the UN Human Rights Commission to immediately take notice of the situation prevailing in IIOJK it is posing a serious threat to peace and security of not only the region but the entire world.

He reminded that both Pakistan and India are nuclear states, and the Indian brutalities are bringing both the countries close to a nuclear clash.]]>
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			<title>PDM leaders blame Imran for 'losing' Kashmir to India</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282784/pdm-leaders-blame-imran-for-losing-kashmir-to-india</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282784/pdm-leaders-blame-imran-for-losing-kashmir-to-india#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 21 12:05:26 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[This government will ruin Kashmir, says Fazl]]>
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				<![CDATA[Leaders of opposition parties, under the umbrella of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), blamed the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan for the revocation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir&#39;s (IIOJK) special status by the right-wing Indian government of Narendra Modi.

Speaking at a public rally in Muzzafarabad on Friday, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz said: &quot;Imran Khan had lost the case for Kashmir&quot;.

&quot;I want to ask you [Imran] what message do you bring for the people of Kashmir? Do you bring the message of handing over Kashmir to Modi, or, do you bring the message that you have lost the case of the Kashmiris?&quot;

Maryam, continuing her criticism of the premier, said whenever Kashmir will be mentioned or discussed, &quot;Imran Khan would be seen as the criminal&quot;.

&quot;It is the responsibility of the incumbent government to safeguard national interests, even if that government has been selected and is a fraud,&quot; the PML-N leader said as she continued to heap criticism on the PTI-led government. She added that the black spot of losing Kasmir to India will be forever present on PTI&#39;s record.

&quot;Their foreign policy was two-minutes of silence after Modi took over Kashmir, that is what Imran did.&quot;

She also criticised statements made earlier by the prime minister after his maiden trip to Washington and the meeting with then-president Donald Trump.

Referring to the upcoming Senate elections, Maryam alleged that &#39;show of hands&#39; is being pushed by the prime minister as &quot;he sees his members slipping away&quot;.

&quot;Always remember, a government is not accountable to the people if it steals their mandate.&quot;

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, addressing the rally, urged the people of Kashmir to &ldquo;reject&rdquo; the PTI government in the upcoming AJK elections.

&ldquo;Today, I want to say something to you. Listen to it intently. We rejected the 2018 elections. This is a rigged government. We will not accept the rigging in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections&hellip; and now they [this government] are preparing to rig the upcoming AJK elections,&rdquo; he said.

The JUI-F further called upon the participants to be wary of candidates who switch loyalties from their parties to the PTI before the AJK elections. &ldquo;Those who join the PTI for the elections will be considered the traitors of Kashmir, and will not be given votes,&rdquo; Fazl asserted.

Speaking of India&rsquo;s annexation of occupied Kashmir in August 2019, the PDM president observed that not only will India&rsquo;s unilateral action be rejected but, &ldquo;we will, hopefully, also wage a war to have the action reversed&rdquo;.

&ldquo;What has this government given to Pakistan that it will give to Kashmir?&rdquo; Fazl asked, warning the rally&rsquo;s participants of election the PTI government in the upcoming elections.

&ldquo;This government will ruin Kashmir,&rdquo; he added.

Fazl concluded his speech expressing hope that Kashmir will win freedom and will become a part of Pakistan.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, taking the podium after the JUI-F chief, said &quot;we will fight a 1,000 years for the freedom of Kashmir&quot;.

&ldquo;It is unfortunate that a country that saw a prime minister like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the first woman prime minister of the Muslim world, Benazir Bhutto, is being run by a &lsquo;puppet prime minister&rsquo;,&rdquo; the party chairman stated.

Bilawal blamed Prime Minister Imran Khan of being helpless following the Indian annexation of Kashmir. &ldquo;Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly following the annexation, all this prime minister had to say was &lsquo;What can I do?&rsquo;&rdquo; Bilawal said.

&ldquo;Where past Pakistani prime ministers are remembered for their historic speeches given over the Kashmir issue, this reply is what the history will remember the incumbent prime minister for,&rdquo; he added.

The PPP chairman went on to say that if Pakistan is to respond to Modi&rsquo;s fascism, it will have to do through a powerful prime minister and not a &ldquo;puppet prime minister&rdquo;.

&ldquo;If we have to defeat Modi, we will need a democratic government, not a &lsquo;selected&rsquo; government&rdquo;, he went on to add.

Referring to the presidential ordinance regarding providing consular access and reviewing and reconsidering the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jahav, Bilawal accused PM Imran of trying to play representative to Indian spy instead of being the ambassador of Kashmir.

Bilawal said the PPP continues to stand with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto&rsquo;s slogan of referendum [in Kashmir], while blaming the incumbent government of following the governance example set by Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Furthermore, encouraging people to reach Islamabad next month, Bilawal said that, &ldquo;It has been decided in Islamabad that a long march will be held on March 26. And you will also reach Islamabad from Kashmir.&rdquo;

Further riling up the audience against PM Imran, the PPP chairman said that, &ldquo;This puppet government that keeps repeating the mantra of &lsquo;same page&rsquo;, is basically on the same page with Modi&rdquo;.

&ldquo;We also compete with each other as political parties in this country, but we also keep in mind the country&rsquo;s cultural ethos,&rdquo; he said while slamming the PTI government for arresting Maryam Nawaz and his aunt, Faryal Talpur &ndash; in separate incidents.

&ldquo;We will never stoop as low as this government, who is doing exactly what Modi does to his opponents,&rdquo; Bilawal added.
Concluding his speech, the PPP chairman stated that despite the circumstances, &ldquo;we will fight together to rid this country of this government. And we will win!&rdquo;]]>
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