AJK premier rules out talks with 'agents of chaos' as JAAC ban sparks tensions

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Saturday declared that the government would no longer engage in negotiations with elements seeking to create disorder under the cover of political activism, a day after the administration formally banned the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) under anti-terrorism legislation.

The development comes ahead of a protest announced by the now-proscribed organisation for June 9, amid growing political tensions in the region.

Addressing a public gathering, Prime Minister Rathore said the state fully supports the constitutional right to peaceful protest but would not tolerate attempts to destabilise public order through intimidation, violence, or coercive tactics.

“Peaceful political activity is a democratic right, but blackmailing the state and creating chaos will not be allowed,” he said.

Without directly naming any individual or group, the AJK premier alleged that certain elements involved in sit-ins, acts of arson, and violent demonstrations shared ideological sympathies with banned militant organisations, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Rathore stated that he personally witnessed all previous rounds of negotiations held between the government and the JAAC and maintained that authorities had repeatedly attempted to resolve disputes through dialogue.

According to the prime minister, the organisation, which he described as a non-political and non-parliamentary group, consistently refused to engage constructively despite multiple efforts by the government.

“We made every effort to bring them to the negotiating table, but they repeatedly rejected dialogue,” he said.

Referring to statements allegedly made by JAAC leaders, Rathore claimed that the group had adopted a confrontational posture against state institutions and had indicated its intention to continue its campaign regardless of government efforts to address its concerns.

Meanwhile, police authorities confirmed the arrest of at least 72 members and activists associated with the banned organisation during operations carried out across various parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a spokesperson for the Inspector General of Police, law enforcement personnel recovered weapons, communication equipment, and documents deemed suspicious during the arrests.

Security measures have been significantly enhanced ahead of the group’s planned protest, with authorities determined to prevent any disruption to public order or the electoral process.

On Friday, the AJK Home Department issued a notification placing the JAAC on the First Schedule of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Terrorism Act, 2014.

The notification accused the organisation of engaging in activities prejudicial to the peace and security of the state, alleging involvement in creating public unrest, spreading fear, promoting hatred, and undermining law and order.

Under Section 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, the AJK president approved the inclusion of the organisation—also known as the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and Awami Action Committee (AAC)—in the list of proscribed organisations.

The latest confrontation stems from JAAC’s demand for the abolition of 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan following the partition of 1947.

The group argues that these seats have historically been used by mainstream political parties to influence government formation in the region.

Prime Minister Rathore revealed that the government had sought additional time to address the issue and had requested a one-week period to explore possible solutions regarding the refugee seats. However, he claimed that JAAC leaders rejected the proposal and refused to suspend their protest plans.

The JAAC has emerged as a significant pressure group in recent years, organising large-scale demonstrations focused on economic grievances, governance issues, and political rights.

Several of its protests turned violent, most notably during demonstrations in May 2024 and September 2025, which resulted in fatalities and injuries during clashes between protesters and security forces.

With fresh protests scheduled and security forces on high alert, authorities have signalled a zero-tolerance approach toward any actions they believe could threaten public order, while critics continue to question the implications of the ban for political freedoms and democratic engagement in the region.