Naqvi says evidence points to ‘foreign hand’ in AJK tensions

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday that evidence suggests a foreign hand is involved in the tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and that a neighbouring country is involved.

Naqvi made the comments during an interaction with media representatives in Islamabad, where he also discussed the recent subsidy package announced by the Pakistani government to address the issues in AJK.

The minister said that the package, worth Rs23 billion, has been announced and has already reached the government of Azad Kashmir, which is now free to use it to address the issues.

He also said that there is evidence that social media campaigns were launched from abroad to fuel the tensions in AJK, and that the government has already taken action against those involved.

"We have evidence that how a campaign was launched on social media that 17 people have been killed, 12 have killed, and 10 have been killed… and how videos were edited and spread through social media," Naqvi said. "We have taken action against those involved and will continue to do so."

The minister also hinted that the neighbouring country is involved in the tensions, but did not provide further details.

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"We will reveal everything when we have complete evidence and proof," Naqvi said. “Protests started outside our embassies abroad, so there must have been someone who was doing all this,” he remarked.

"But it is clear that something is happening and we will take action to address it."

Clashes erupted in AJK after the federal government increased the electricity prices in July. The regional government had reached an agreement with the protestors a few months ago but its implementation was pending.

The skirmishes resumed last week when traders and residential consumers blocked roads due to non-implementation of the agreement.

Finally, the prime minister announced a Rs23 billion subsidy to provide wheat at Rs2,000 per 40 kilogramme in AJK compared to Rs3,900 in Pakistan.

The electricity rates for the residential consumers were announced at Rs3 per unit for monthly consumption of 100 units, Rs5 per unit for consumption between 101 to 300 units, and Rs6 per unit for usage exceeding 500 units.

Sources revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also directed the finance ministry to set aside the subsidy in the next budget for continuous provision of subsidized electricity and wheat for the region.