ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari, in response to recent tumultuous protests spanning 48 hours, called upon all stakeholders to exercise restraint and seek resolution for issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) through dialogue and mutual consultation.
He emphasized the need for political parties, state institutions, and the people of AJK to act responsibly to prevent hostile elements from exploiting the situation for their advantage.
President Zardari conveyed these sentiments during a meeting with a delegation of AJK Legislative Assembly members affiliated with the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), who visited him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The delegation briefed the president about recent happenings and unfortunate developments in Azad Kashmir.
Addressing the members, the president underscored that addressing the people’s demands must align with the law. He pledged to discuss the grievances with the Prime Minister of Pakistan to navigate through the current situation.
Furthermore, he emphasized prioritizing the socio-economic development of AJK, with special attention to health, education, tourism, and infrastructure. He stressed the importance of bringing remote areas on par with other developed regions of the country.
Expressing regret over the ongoing situation, President Zardari offered condolences for the unfortunate demise of a police officer and extended prayers for the speedy recovery of all injured individuals from recent clashes.
Azad Kashmir witnessed violent confrontations between the police and activists of a rights movement amidst a wheel-jam and shutter-down strike across the territory. These clashes resulted in the unfortunate death of at least one police official, Sub-inspector Adnan Qureshi, who succumbed to a gunshot wound in Islamgarh town, where he was deployed to halt a rally organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) heading towards Muzaffarabad.
JAAC, primarily comprising traders across the state, has been advocating for electricity provision at hydropower generation cost in AJK, subsidized wheat flour, and the removal of privileges enjoyed by the elite class.
The violent protests saw damage to multiple vehicles, including a magistrate’s car on the Poonch-Kotli road. Additionally, markets, trade centers, offices, schools, and restaurants remained closed across AJK.
