Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened a high-level meeting today to discuss the ongoing situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as the negotiations between the protesters and the state government ended in deadlock.
Expressing deep concerns over the violent clashes between the Azad Jammu and Kashmir police and the protesters, PM Shehbaz earlier on Sunday said that there should be “absolutely no tolerance for taking the law in one’s own hands”.
Taking to X, the premier said: “While debate, discussion and peaceful protests are the beauties of democracy, there should be absolutely no tolerance for taking the law in one’s own hands and damaging government properties.”
The premier made the remarks after the AJK government called in Rangers as the protests and demonstrations against high electricity bills and taxes entered the third day om Sunday. The protest was organised by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
“Unfortunately, in situations of chaos and dissent there are always some who rush in to score political points,” PM Shehbaz added.
The premier further said that he had spoken to AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and also directed all PML-N office bearers in
AJK to talk to the leaders of the action committee.
“I urge all parties to resort to peaceful course of action for resolution of their demands. Despite best efforts of detractors, the matter will hopefully be settled soon.”
It is pertinent to mention here that at least a police officer was killed and over 70 sustained injuries during the clashes between the police and the protesters in Mirpur on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the central leadership of the JAAC has distanced itself from the violent incidents that occurred during the protests.
Earlier, the JAAC and the AJK government held negotiations to end protests in the region, however, the talks ended in deadlock.
According to sources, the AJK government is mulling to suspend mobile and internet services in the region for two days amid violent protests.
On Sunday, mobile phone and internet services were suspended in different parts of AJK including Bhimber, Bagh Towns and Mirpur.
An official notification issued by the AJK government said schools and offices in the state will remain closed on Monday (May 13).
One of the JAAC members, Sajid Jagwal, said their movement is peaceful. He said that they have been sitting for two days and no incident has happened.
Another member, Tauseef Mansoor, said that the committee has nothing to do with the two to three incidents that have happened during the protests.
Anjuman Tajran President Sahabzada Waqas said that the protest was not against the state or any institution.
“This army is ours and this country is ours. We are neither against the army nor against Pakistan or any other institution,” said the president.
Yasir Hussain Naqvi, another member of the JAAC, said that they are not persuasive of destruction as these are their properties. “These institutions are ours and police are ours,” he added.
Naqvi further said that the demands of the protesters are legitimate, and there is no demand that cannot be resolved.
Earlier, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said that the government was ready to give related relief in electricity and wheat flour prices after violent protests.
