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			<title>Govt calls on JAAC to abandon 'violence', says no direct talks ongoing although AJK PM welcome to try</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613292/govt-calls-on-jaac-to-abandon-violence-says-no-direct-talks-ongoing-although-ajk-pm-welcome-to-try</link>
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			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 26 13:05:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Khalid Mahmood]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Says 'definitely a path of peace and well-being will be found' if violence abandoned]]>
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				<![CDATA[Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Monday called on the recently proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to abandon its alleged violence and adopt constitutional means to achieve its demands, while saying there were no direct talks ongoing with the group, although the Azad Jammu and Kashmir premier was welcome to try.

Tensions have been rising in AJK following recent deadly clashes that have led to competing narratives over casualties, governance grievances, and political legitimacy. Official sources have confirmed at least seven deaths.

Officials said that despite claims of peaceful intent, certain elements have continued to engage in violent activities. The same elements, they added, have previously been involved in damaging public property and attacks that resulted in the martyrdom and injuries of security personnel.

Addressing a press conference outside Parliament House, Chaudhry urged the JAAC to refrain from adopting a violent course of action and instead resolve issues through dialogue and negotiations, emphasising that disputes should be settled through peaceful engagement rather than confrontation.

&ldquo;Now that the JAAC is outlawed, the government is not conducting direct negotiations with the committee.&rdquo;

Nevertheless, Chaudhry said that the government would have &quot;no reservation&quot; if AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore, who he said was a &quot;dynamic youth&quot; and very active amid the situation, attempted to resolve the matter in an indirect manner.

&quot;There should be no violence. There should be no loss of life,&quot; he said, and once again called on the JAAC to abandon the path of resistance and confrontation. &quot;Definitely, a path will be found that will be of peace and well-being.&quot;

Speaking about the sit-in, the minister asked the demonstrators to give peace a chance, as loss of lives &ldquo;revolving around the issue of 12 seats&rdquo; was incomprehensible and irrational.

He said the government had taken significant steps to address the concerns of protesters, claiming that at least 35 of their 38 demands had been fulfilled.

The federal minister explained that the lapse of three demands was based on the pendency of the issue in court.

Describing measures undertaken to bring about stability in the region, Chaudhry highlighted that the government terminated 170 first information reports (FIRs) against the protesters and compensated the families of those who lost their lives on equal footing as that of law enforcement officials.

He also said that the government offered jobs to the aggrieved family members of the victims who passed away on the day of the protest.

&ldquo;We have reduced the size of the AJK cabinet from 36 to 20 as per the agreement that was reached between the conflicting parties while accepting demands that were quite unnegotiable,&rdquo; the minister underscored, adding that ministries had also been reduced from 32 to 22.

In the matter of the issue of 12 migrant seats, Chaudhry urged the JAAC to seek political, legislative or judicial discourse, highlighting that the provision was protected under the interim constitution of AJK.

He lamented that the call for the long march was not postponed by the JAAC despite repeated requests from the government, eventually leading to violence and unrest in the valley.

&ldquo;Four law enforcement agency personnel, including one from the Frontier Corps (FC), lost their lives in the unrest,&rdquo; he recalled.

Chaudhry further said that the scenes witnessed in AJK were deeply distressing for its residents, as well as all Pakistanis.

A day ago, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, whose party is in power in AJK, appealed directly to protesters and urged them to end their demonstrations peacefully and bring their protest activities to a &ldquo;peaceful conclusion&rdquo;.

He warned that the situation was creating an &ldquo;unnecessary opportunity&rdquo; for hostile actors and the &ldquo;India-Israel nexus&rdquo; to exploit developments for their own purposes.

Inspector General of Police spokesperson AJK&nbsp;said in a statement that due to the violent activities of the proscribed JAAC, four personnel of law enforcement forces, including Special SI Shehryar, were martyred and 89 others were injured.

&quot;Violent protesters also vandalised CMH Rawalakot and subjected patients to violence. In addition, as a result of direct firing, around 30 bullet marks were found on an APC, while two emergency fire markers of the APC were also used,&quot; said the statement.

It added that a reasonable number of law enforcement personnel were present in Rawalakot to control the activities of violent elements and were working day and night to maintain the law and order situation.

&quot;According to reports from Bhimber, Mirpur, Kotli, Sudhnoti, Haveli, Bagh, Jhelum Valley, Muzaffarabad and Neelum, the situation is normal, while minor incidents of stone-pelting have been reported in Mirpur,&quot; it said.

It further stated that &quot;police are providing complete protection to business owners and vehicle owners, due to which daily life and traffic remain operational. Credit for this also goes to the administration, along with the police.&quot;

The statement mentioned that from June 6 to 14, a total of 81 cases were registered against rioters of the proscribed JAAC. Of the accused nominated in these cases, 425 miscreants were arrested.

&quot;Illegal weapons, including 15 automatic weapons with ammunition, walkie-talkie sets, sensitive equipment, documents and other material have been recovered from the arrested suspects,&quot; it said.

According to the release, the names of more than 400 social media workers of the proscribed JAAC were being added to the Fourth Schedule.

&quot;As a result of the effective strategy of AJK Police and other law enforcement forces, the overall law and order situation in Azad Kashmir is satisfactory. Inter-district traffic continues, while all entry points of Azad Kashmir are open and fully restored for traffic,&quot; read the statement.

It further urged the public to remain peaceful, not to believe rumours and to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

&quot;Citizens are advised to stay away from sensitive locations and unlawful gatherings and to immediately distance themselves from any proscribed or illegal organisation involved in such activities.&nbsp;Citizens should immediately report any armed individuals, provocative planning or information that may affect public order to the nearest police station or district administration,&quot; it added.



https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1451793573657623&amp;set=a.247068134130179&amp;id=100064809815793




Background

The recent unrest and deadly clashes broke out in areas, including Rawalakot, where the JAAC 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. 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 came as the AJK government and the JAAC witnessed a face-off, as the election date for AJK was announced for July 27.

Read More: Certain elements seeking to create instability in AJK despite repeated offers of dialogue: Rana Sanaullah

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.]]>
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			<title>AJK SC Bar Association warns violators of peace, calls for immediate surrender</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612990/ajk-sc-bar-warns-violators-calls-for-immediate-surrender</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612990/ajk-sc-bar-warns-violators-calls-for-immediate-surrender#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 26 16:37:24 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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				<![CDATA[Bar assures legal aid for individuals involved in violence if they surrender before law enforcement]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Saturday warned individuals involved in disturbing peace, violence, damaging government property and causing loss of human lives to immediately surrender and present themselves before the law, while assuring full legal assistance to those who do so.

Tensions have been rising in AJK following recent deadly clashes that have led to competing narratives over casualties, governance grievances, and political legitimacy. Official sources have confirmed at least seven deaths.

Officials said that despite claims of peaceful intent, certain elements have continued to engage in violent activities. The same elements, they added, have previously been involved in damaging public property and attacks that resulted in the martyrdom and injuries of security personnel.

Read: AJK reinstates 177 FIRs against JAAC members over breach of Oct &#39;25 agreement

In a statement issued by AJK SCBA President Raja Aftab Ahmed Advocate, it said that those involved in armed attacks and acts undermining public order must surrender without delay.

He said, &ldquo;Individuals involved in disturbing peace, launching armed attacks, damaging government property, and causing loss of human lives must immediately surrender and present themselves before the law.&rdquo;

He added that those challenging the writ of the state were not only endangering human lives but were also committing a grave offence equivalent to treason. He urged such individuals to hand themselves over to the authorities, adding that the Bar would provide complete legal assistance to them in the courts of Azad Kashmir.

Background

The recent unrest and deadly clashes in areas, including Rawalakot, where the newly proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) 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.

Read More: Certain elements seeking to create instability in AJK despite repeated offers of dialogue: Rana Sanaullah

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.]]>
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			<title>PPP AJK seeks withdrawal of election schedule for migrant seats amid rising tensions</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613151/ppp-ajk-seeks-withdrawal-of-election-schedule-for-migrant-seats-amid-rising-tensions</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613151/ppp-ajk-seeks-withdrawal-of-election-schedule-for-migrant-seats-amid-rising-tensions#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 26 18:16:37 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[PPP warns instability could be exploited by hostile elements, says dialogue and consensus remain the way forward]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday called upon the Election Commission to withdraw the election schedule for 12 migrant seats, terming the announcement ahead of a protest call &ldquo;not an appropriate decision&rdquo;.

The demand comes amid tensions following a call by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) for widespread protests seeking the abolition of 12 seats in the Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who have settled in mainland Pakistan.

Just days before the protest call, the AJK Election Commission, on June 5, announced general elections for the Legislative Assembly, scheduled to be held on July 27.

Read:&nbsp;Bilawal Bhutto urges AJK protesters to end demonstrations peacefully

Addressing a press conference at Jammu Kashmir House after a meeting of the party&rsquo;s core committee, PPP AJK President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin said the timing of the electoral announcement was inappropriate.

&ldquo;Issuing the election schedule for migrant seats just three days before a protest call was not an appropriate decision,&rdquo; he said.

He added that under the prevailing circumstances, holding elections appeared difficult and called for withdrawal of the schedule to allow further consultation.

&ldquo;Elections in the current situation are not feasible, and the Election Commission should review its decision and continue the consultation process,&rdquo; Yasin said.

He said the party did not support confrontation or political conflict, stressing that human lives could not be placed below electoral considerations.

&ldquo;The PPP does not believe in confrontation. Twelve seats cannot be more valuable than human lives,&rdquo; he said.

Also Read:&nbsp;AJK reinstates 177 FIRs against JAAC members over breach of Oct &#39;25 agreement

Yasin also cautioned that instability in the region could be exploited by hostile forces.

&ldquo;Any instability in the region could be used by hostile elements, particularly India, which is why all stakeholders must act responsibly,&rdquo; he warned.

He said dialogue and political consensus remained the only viable way forward. &ldquo;Dialogue and consensus are essential to reduce tensions and address the challenges facing the region,&rdquo; he added.

The PPP leader said the party&rsquo;s politics had always centred on the Kashmir cause, crediting PPP founders for elevating the issue internationally.

He said that over the past seven months, efforts had been made to resolve public issues and strengthen the democratic system, adding that 37 out of 38 demands of the Awami Action Committee had been implemented, while only the constitutional matter of migrant seats remained under consideration.

He further said that all sides had shown a positive response during negotiations, adding that only a one-week extension had been requested from the Awami Action Committee, which was not accepted.

He said essential food shortages were emerging in Azad Kashmir, warning that the region was facing uncertainty and instability.

Read More:&nbsp;Certain elements seeking to create instability in AJK despite repeated offers of dialogue: Rana Sanaullah

&ldquo;All outstanding issues can only be resolved through dialogue, political harmony and continuity of the democratic process,&rdquo; he said.

Legislative Assembly parliamentary leader Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan said all stakeholders needed to play their role in stabilising the situation.

&ldquo;Elections are not more important than human lives, and hasty decisions have worsened the situation,&rdquo; he said.

He called for immediate withdrawal of the election schedule to enable reconciliation.

Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed said protecting the state was the foremost priority.

&ldquo;Azad Kashmir cannot afford further tension or confrontation in the current circumstances,&rdquo; he said.

He urged all parties to resolve the issue through dialogue, stressing that Pakistan and Kashmir remained inseparable.

&ldquo;No power can create a rift between Pakistan and the Kashmiri people,&rdquo; he said.

He said unity among political parties, the public and overseas Kashmiris was essential to avoid further deterioration of the situation.

He added that political differences must be set aside in favour of national and state interests and called for immediate consultations to consider postponing the elections.

Those present at the press conference included parliamentary leader Sardar Yaqoob, senior minister Mian Waheed, government ministers Sardar Javed Ayub, Javed Iqbal Budhanvi, Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar or others.

Background

The recent unrest and&nbsp;deadly clashes&nbsp;in areas, including Rawalakot, where the newly proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) 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&nbsp;personnel&nbsp;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.

Read More:&nbsp;Certain elements seeking to create instability in AJK despite repeated offers of dialogue: Rana Sanaullah

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&nbsp;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&nbsp;reached an agreement&nbsp;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:&nbsp;Four police personnel martyred, over 20 injured in Rawalakot firing: AJK police

The unrest also triggered political upheaval in the region. The PPP subsequently&nbsp;moved a no-confidence resolution&nbsp;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&nbsp;secured 36 votes&nbsp;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&nbsp;convened&nbsp;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>AJK reinstates 177 FIRs against JAAC members over breach of Oct '25 agreement</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612590/ajk-reinstates-177-firs-against-jaac-members-over-breach-of-oct-25-agreement</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612590/ajk-reinstates-177-firs-against-jaac-members-over-breach-of-oct-25-agreement#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 26 09:14:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Directs police, judiciary and administrative authorities to implement the decision and pursue further legal action]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Thursday withdrew earlier concessions related to protest and agitation cases and reinstated 177 First Information Reports (FIRs) against members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), citing violation of the October 4, 2025 agreement between the two sides.

The move comes amid escalating tensions in AJK following recent deadly clashes that have generated competing narratives over casualties, governance grievances, and political legitimacy. Official sources have confirmed at least seven deaths.

Last week, the AJK government banned the JAAC, accusing the organisation of involvement in terrorism, promoting hatred, and creating anarchy in the state.

The ban followed the JAAC&rsquo;s call for a protest on June 9. The organisation has previously led large-scale demonstrations demanding economic relief and political rights, with some protests ending in violence and fatalities during clashes with law enforcement in May 2024 and September 2025.

According to official statements, the government concluded that the JAAC had breached the October 2025 agreement by returning to street agitation rather than pursuing dispute resolution through the implementation committee established under the accord.

As a result, all protest-related cases that had previously been withdrawn under the agreement have now been restored.



A notification issued by the Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Department in Muzaffarabad confirmed the decision.

&ldquo;Pursuant to the decision of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, taken during its 41st meeting held on June 5, 2026, the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has been pleased to accord approval to withdraw the following notifications regarding cases relating to protest and agitation of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee before various competent criminal courts in Azad Jammu and Kashmir,&rdquo; the notification stated.

Also Read: Tariq Fazal rejects JAAC claims of inaction, says most agreement commitments fulfilled

The order revoked several earlier notifications issued between December 2024 and December 2025, including those dated December 7, 2024, December 15, 2025, December 26, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

It also directed relevant departments, including the police, judiciary, and administrative authorities, to implement the decision and proceed with further legal action. Officials said the move effectively reverses relief previously granted to individuals facing protest-related charges, maintaining that the agreement had been violated.

FIR&#39;s

The reinstated FIRs relate to protests held across AJK in September and October 2025, when the JAAC launched a campaign demanding governance and constitutional reforms.

The demonstrations escalated into violent confrontations with security forces, resulting in the deaths of at least nine people, including three police officers.

Among the JAAC&rsquo;s key demands were the abolition of privileges for the political elite, the removal of 12 refugee-reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, and reforms to the quota system.

Following the unrest, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement in October 2025 on a broader reform framework. The accord included the formation of a high-level committee to review contentious issues, including refugee representation.

Subsequently, the government withdrew cases registered against protesters involved in the long march and related demonstrations. Officials said 177 FIRs were dropped through notifications issued in December 2025.

However, cases linked to deaths during the unrest were not withdrawn and remain under legal process. A proposal to establish a judicial commission to investigate the violence is also still under consideration.

Background

The recent unrest and deadly clashes in areas, including Rawalakot, where the newly proscribed JAAC 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.

Read More: Certain elements seeking to create instability in AJK despite repeated offers of dialogue: Rana Sanaullah

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.]]>
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			<title>AJK govt announces Rs10 million reward for information leading to arrest of four JAAC members</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612245/ajk-govt-announces-rs10-million-head-money-for-information-leading-to-arrest-of-four-jaac-members</link>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 26 13:09:15 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[A key member of banned JAAC, announces complete disassociation; five suspects arrested from Muzaffarabad during IBO]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Tuesday announced a reward of Rs10 million for information leading to the arrest of four wanted individuals linked to the newly proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

&quot;The president of Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir has been pleased to fix Rs10m reward money to be granted to any person who provides information leading to the successful arrest of the following offenders belonging to the proscribed JAAC,&quot; said a notification.

The development emerged after fatal clashes in AJK sparked competing accounts over casualties, governance grievances and political legitimacy, with official sources confirming at least seven deaths. Last week, the AJK government banned the JAAC, accusing it of involvement in terrorism, promoting hatred, and creating anarchy in the state. The ban followed the JAAC&rsquo;s call for a protest on June 9. The organisation has previously spearheaded mass protests demanding economic relief and political rights, with some demonstrations ending in violence and fatalities during confrontations with law enforcement authorities in May 2024 and September 2025.

The individuals named in the notification are Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad and Sardar Aman Khan. It further stated that the identity of the informant would be kept strictly confidential.

The AJK Home Department also directed the inspector general of police to take the necessary steps for the immediate implementation of the reward scheme.



AJK Government has announced a reward of Rs. 10 million for information leading to arrest of proscribed JAAC offenders Shoukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad and Sardar Amaan Khan. The identity of informants will be kept confidential#PakistanTV #AJK&hellip; pic.twitter.com/OBm6VlKMKS
&mdash; Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) June 9, 2026


In its response, the JAAC noted that rewards could&nbsp;be set by the government to &quot;suppress voices&quot;&nbsp;but the same&nbsp;amount could not&nbsp;be provided to &quot;resolve public issues&quot;.

It said the announcement of a reward was proof that the government was prioritising the use of force over political solutions to problems, warning that&nbsp;the&nbsp;approach would&nbsp;lead to &quot;further hatred, discord&nbsp;and intense backlash&quot;.

&quot;It is due to the incompetence of these unfit rulers and their inept methods that the situation has reached this point today,&quot; it added.



حکومت کی جانب سے آوازوں کو دبانے کے لیے انعامات تو مقرر کیے جا سکتے ہیں مگر عوامی مسائل کے حل کیلئے یہ رقم فراہم نہیں کی جاسکتی۔
جوائنٹ عوامی ایکشن کمیٹی کے چار رہنماؤں شوکت نواز میر، عمر نذیر کشمیری، خواجہ مہران ارشد اور سردار امان خان کی گرفتاری میں مدد دینے والوں کے لیے انعام&hellip; pic.twitter.com/jq15a15jvf
&mdash; Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 9, 2026



Meanwhile, Syed Faisal Gilani, a key JAAC member, announced complete disassociation from the party.

In his statement, Gilani strongly condemned the attacks in Rawalakot, saying that the &quot;JAAC was playing a festival of blood with the lives of innocent citizens.&quot; Gilani further stated that he had become part of the JAAC for the sake of public interests, but unfortunately, it had deviated from its original path.

&quot;The people of Azad Kashmir are rejecting the banned JAAC violent rhetoric and proving themselves to be conscious citizens,&quot; he said.



کالعدم جوائنٹ عوامی ایکشن کمیٹی کےاہم رکن سید فیصل گیلانی کا نام نہاد تحریک سے مکمل لاتعلقی کااعلان

اپنے بیان میں سید فیصل گیلانی نے راولاکوٹ میں جوائنٹ عوامی ایکشن کمیٹی کے پرتشدد حملوں کی شدیدالفاظ میں مذمت کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ کالعدم جوائنٹ ایکشن کمیٹی کی جانب سے معصوم شہریوں&hellip; pic.twitter.com/7N50UjoYLb
&mdash; PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 9, 2026


According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), law enforcement agencies conducted a targeted, intelligence-based operation in the Chehla area of Muzaffarabad, resulting in the arrest of five suspects.

​According to security sources, authorities seized laptops, mobile phones, and various communication devices during the raid.

&quot;Initial investigations into the digital devices have already revealed suspicious links and sensitive material. ​During interrogation, information provided by one of the detainees led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, including seven automatic weapons, multiple grenades, and other military hardware.&quot;



https://www.facebook.com/ajkpolice/posts/%D9%BE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B2/1446145217555792/



Sources added that maps of sensitive installations, alleged attack plans, and documents related to high-security locations were also confiscated. ​The investigators &quot;uncovered evidence pointing to alleged contact with hostile foreign intelligence agencies&quot;.

​As the forensic and technical analysis of the recovered digital devices and materials was currently underway, the investigators were expanding the scope of the probe to identify possible facilitators, financial backers and the broader network behind the group.

​Security sources emphasised that the timely operation successfully averted a potential threat to sensitive installations and public safety.

Reaffirming their commitment to national security, authorities vowed to maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards activities threatening state security, public order and national interests, promising strict action against all anti-state elements.

​Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies were continuing their comprehensive investigation and appealed to the public to immediately report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.



The recent intelligence-based operation, which led to the arrest of five suspects and recovery of sensitive devices, reflects Pakistan&rsquo;s continued efforts to counter security threats. Authorities remain committed to proactive action against any elements seeking to destabilize the&hellip; pic.twitter.com/21qy2ewjhu
&mdash; Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) June 9, 2026


Separately, Kashmiri, one of the proscribed leaders, said the group&#39;s movement was peaceful and it would prefer to emerge with honour instead of surrendering before the authorities.



ہماری تحریک پُرامن ہے لیکن ہم ان طاقتوں کے سامنے سرنگوں ہونے کے بجائے اللہ کے حضور سرخرو ہونے کو ترجیح دیں گے
عمر نذیر کشمیری
&mdash; Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 9, 2026


The JAAC said many people from various parts of the territory were joining it for its protest call.



صرف میرپور سے جو قافلہ اسلام گڑھ کی طرف پہنچا ہے وہ 20 ہزار سے زیادہ ہے اور انہوں نے رٹھوعہ چک ہریام پل جو ابھی تعمیر کے مراحل میں ہے
اس کا افتتاح بھی اج انہوں نے کیا ہے کہ وہ 28 کلومیٹر کا سفر طے کرنے کی بجائے سات کلومیٹر کا سفر طے کر کے اسلام گڑھ پہنچے اسلام گڑھ میں بھی&hellip;
&mdash; Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 9, 2026


The group claimed that three young men were killed in Kotli while more continued to be injured.



کوٹلی آزاد کشمیر۔
تین نوجوان جان کی بازی ہار چکے ہیں جبکہ زخمیوں کی تعداد مسلسل بڑھ رہی ہے۔ ڈی ایچ کیو ہسپتال کے اطراف شیلنگ سے عملہ بھی متاثر ہے، مگر زخمیوں کو بچانے کی کوششیں جاری ہیں کوٹلی ہائی وے پر عوام نے شدید دباؤ کے باوجود ڈٹ کر مقابلہ کیا اور فورسز کو پیچھے ہٹا دیا&hellip;
&mdash; Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 9, 2026


Dialogue with JAAC

AJK Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore once again requested the JAAC to &quot;please come back to the negotiating table&quot;.

In a post on X, he said: &quot;I&#39;m requesting everyone on daily basis to resolve matters through discussions instead of fire and blood. Your abusive comments, constant threats and senseless agitation are not helpful to anyone on this side of the LOC.

&quot;Everyone recognises your rights and liberties. No one can dictate Kashmiris on how we should resolve our issues. All we need to do is remain calm and find a way out through talks. The only weapon a political activist carries is his reasoning and negotiation skills.&quot;



A political activist without the ability to debate and negotiate is like a pilot without the ability to fly an airplane. They both end up causing hurt and damage to people behind them.

Please come back to the negotiating table. I&#39;m requesting everyone on daily basis to resolve&hellip; pic.twitter.com/8GuMqaXmp3
&mdash; Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) June 9, 2026


A day earlier, he had offered to restart negotiations with the JAAC, urging protesters to return to the dialogue table.

&quot;The people protesting in AJK are our own. No doubt about it. Agents and traitors? I don&#39;t think so. Disillusioned? Naturally. Misguided? Surely,&quot; he said in an X post.

&quot;Come and sit with us. This is not a problem that can be resolved at the cost of human lives,&quot; he said in a televised interview, adding that past negotiations had collapsed over unresolved clauses.

Rathore also acknowledged that while some protest demands, particularly related to refugee seats, require careful review, the solution must come through discussion rather than confrontation.



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


People of AJK have a right protest: PTI

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressed grief and concern over the loss of lives and the escalating violence.

&quot;The recent clashes in Rawalakot and other areas, resulting in the deaths of civilians and law enforcement personnel, along with numerous injuries, have deeply saddened the party and the entire nation,&quot; a statement issued by the party reads.

&quot;PTI stands in solidarity with the people of AJK, who have long endured economic hardships, political marginalisation and governance failures,&quot; the statement further reads.

The PTI strongly condemned the &quot;excessive use of force&quot; by the authorities against peaceful protesters.

&quot;The people of AJK have legitimate grievances regarding economic rights, electricity tariffs, subsidies, political representation, and the abolition of reserved seats that favour outsiders at the expense of locals. Instead of addressing these issues through dialogue and meaningful reforms, the current setup in AJK has resorted to bans, crackdowns, communication blackouts, and lethal force, turning a civic movement into a bloody confrontation.

&quot;This violence is a direct outcome of the incompetent and insensitive governance imposed on AJK by the PPP-led administration and its allies. The PPP government, which claims to champion democracy and public welfare, has once again exposed its authoritarian tendencies by proscribing a popular civil society platform and suppressing the voices of the people. Their policies of economic exploitation, elite privileges, and failure to deliver basic relief have pushed the resilient people of AJK to the brink. PTI holds the PPP and its coalition partners fully responsible for this bloodshed and the prevailing crisis of governance in the region.&quot;

The PTI said it fully understood the unique sensitivity of the Kashmir region. As a party that has always prioritised the Kashmir cause and the aspirations of its people, it urged all stakeholders, protesters, administration and security forces to exercise maximum restraint.

&quot;Further violence will only harm the Kashmiri cause and provide ammunition to enemies. Peaceful dialogue, not bullets and batons, is the way forward. The genuine demands of the people must be addressed urgently through inclusive negotiations.&quot;

The party demanded an immediate end to the crackdown, lifting of restrictions, and the formation of a neutral inquiry into the recent violence. The party called upon all democratic and patriotic forces to unite in support of the Kashmiri people&rsquo;s legitimate rights and to reject the politics of suppression.



Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Press Release
Islamabad: June 9, 2026
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf expresses profound grief and concern over the tragic loss of lives and the escalating violence in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The recent clashes in Rawalakot and other areas, resulting&hellip;
&mdash; Sheikh Waqas Akram (@SheikhWaqqas) June 9, 2026


The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan similarly expressed concern at the escalating confrontation in AJK and the loss of life among both protesters and law enforcement personnel.

&quot;We urge an immediate de-escalation of tensions and an impartial investigation into all deaths and injuries. The state must remember that proscribing popular movements invariably risks narrowing democratic space. Demands for constitutional change should be pursued through peaceful, representative and democratic processes rather than confrontation and violence.&quot;



HRCP is deeply concerned by the escalating confrontation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the loss of life among both protesters and law enforcement personnel. We urge an immediate de-escalation of tensions and an impartial investigation into all deaths and injuries. The state must&hellip;
&mdash; Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) June 9, 2026


Background

The recent unrest and deadly clashes in areas, including Rawalakot, where the newly proscribed JAAC 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>Fact check: Viral video does not show firing on protesters in AJK's Rawalakot; it's from protest outside US Consulate Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612244/fact-check-viral-video-does-not-show-firing-on-protesters-in-ajks-rawalakot</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612244/fact-check-viral-video-does-not-show-firing-on-protesters-in-ajks-rawalakot#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 26 12:52:22 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Fact Check By iVerify]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Video dates to March 26, showing clashes outside US Consulate after assassination of Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei]]>
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				<![CDATA[Multiple pro-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)&nbsp;and anti-state accounts on social media platform X were sharing a video since Monday, claiming it shows Pakistani security forces firing directly on unarmed protesters in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. However, the footage is from Karachi, where police clashed with protesters near the US Consulate in March.

On Sunday, four policemen were killed and at least two protesters died in violent clashes outside the Combined Military Hospital Rawalakot, after police moved against supporters of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The unrest was triggered by the death of a trader allegedly shot during a confrontation with law enforcement on Saturday, with protesters demanding the withdrawal of JAAC&rsquo;s proscription.

The unrest in the territory continues amid an internet and communications blackout, due to which there are numerous unsubstantiated reports of exchange of gunfire between protesters and security forces, leading to deaths and injuries.

How it started

On Monday, a user who appears to be pro-PTI, based on their past posts, posted a video online that shows a clash between policemen and protesters. The caption read: &ldquo;In Rawalakot, the police have been firing directly at the protesters. As you can clearly see in the video, police thugs are beating a Kashmiri with batons.&rdquo;

The post accumulated 69,000 views.

A second pro-PTI account, based on their past posts, shared the same video on Monday, with a caption claiming (translated from Urdu): &ldquo;The number of martyrs in Rawalakot has crossed 200, including children, the elderly and the young.&rdquo;

The post received 44,000 views.

An anti-state account posted the same video on Monday, with the caption: &ldquo;The Republic of Balochistan condemns the direct firing on and killing of unarmed Kashmiri protesters in Rawalakot and other areas of PoK by the invading forces of Pakistan in strongest possible terms.&rdquo;

It received more than 19,000 views.

Another pro-PTI user, based on their past posts, shared the same video on Monday with the following caption: &ldquo;Police have opened fire directly on unarmed civilians in Rawalakot.&rdquo;

The post received more than 7,000 views.

An X user, claiming to be a journalist from New Delhi, India, also shared the same video with the following caption: &ldquo;Pakistani forces are firing indiscriminately on civilians in Pak-occupied Kashmir for demanding basic rights and dignity.&rdquo;

The post gathered 4,294 views

An anti-state account posted the same video on Monday with the caption: &ldquo;Violent clashes between security forces and protesters from the JAAC resulting in significant casualties.&rdquo;

That post received 4,000 views.

The video was subsequently shared by several other accounts, as can be seen here, here, here, and here.

Methodology

A fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality and keen public interest in the unrest in AJK.

It was observed that some comments noted that the video was not from AJK but an old one from Karachi.

A reverse-image search yielded a YouTube video, dated March 3, uploaded by Samar Abbas, identified in his profile as the Karachi bureau chief for Public News.

The video, titled &ldquo;After US Consulate Karachi attack, SSP Keamari Amjad Sheikh and officers were removed for negligence,&rdquo; contains the same footage in higher resolution. A road signboard clearly visible in the clip reads &ldquo;Karachi Port&rdquo;, &ldquo;Kemari&rdquo; and &ldquo;Shershah&rdquo;, confirming the location as Moulvi Tamizuddin Khan Road (MT Khan Road), Karachi.





A keyword search was subsequently conducted for news reports around the same date and yielded a March 1 story published by English media outlet Dawn.

The report documented violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement outside the US Consulate in Karachi following the assassination of former Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As per the article, protesters attempted to storm the consulate, causing security forces to fire tear gas in an attempt to disperse them.

Fact-check status: False

The claim that a viral video shows security forces firing at protesters in AJK&rsquo;s Rawalakot is false.

The video is old and shows clashes between the police and protesters in Karachi in March after Khamenei&rsquo;s assassination.

This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan &mdash; a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.]]>
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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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				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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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.

{{pdf}}

&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>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599229/ndma-warns-of-nationwide-rain-thunderstorms-over-next-24-hours#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 26 13:52:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2599229</guid>
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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>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2590270/ajk-president-sultan-mahmood-laid-to-rest-with-state-military-honours#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 26 18:15:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[M A Mir]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2590270</guid>
			<description>
				<![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>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[.]]>
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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>
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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]]>
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			<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]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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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]]>
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			<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>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2282930</guid>
			<description>
				<![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>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2282934</guid>
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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>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![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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