Govt urges banned JAAC to pursue constitutional path, rules out direct talks

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Monday urged the recently proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to abandon what he described as a path of violence and instead pursue its demands through constitutional, political and legal channels, while clarifying that the government was not engaged in direct negotiations with the outlawed organisation.

Addressing a press conference outside Parliament House, Chaudhry stressed that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful engagement rather than confrontation and unrest.

“Now that the JAAC has been declared a proscribed organisation, the government is not conducting direct negotiations with the committee,” he said.

However, the minister said the federal government would have no objection if AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq or other provincial leadership sought to help resolve the issue through indirect engagement.

“There should be no violence. There should be no loss of life,” Chaudhry said, expressing hope that a peaceful and constructive solution would eventually emerge.

The minister questioned the continuation of the protest movement over the issue of 12 migrant seats, describing the loss of lives associated with the dispute as regrettable and difficult to comprehend.

He maintained that the government had addressed most of the protesters’ concerns, claiming that 35 out of 38 demands presented by the committee had already been fulfilled. According to him, the remaining three demands could not be implemented because the matters were currently under judicial consideration.

Highlighting measures taken to restore stability, Chaudhry said the government had withdrawn 170 cases registered against protesters and provided compensation to the families of deceased protesters on the same basis as compensation awarded to families of martyred law enforcement personnel.

He added that employment opportunities had also been offered to family members of those who lost their lives during the protests.

The minister further noted that, under an agreement reached between stakeholders, the size of the AJK cabinet had been reduced from 36 to 20 members, while the number of ministries had been brought down from 32 to 22.

Regarding the dispute over 12 migrant seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, Chaudhry said the matter was protected under the interim constitution of AJK and should therefore be addressed through political, legislative or judicial mechanisms rather than street agitation.

He also expressed disappointment that calls to postpone the planned long march had not been accepted despite repeated government appeals, arguing that the decision contributed to violence and unrest.

Recalling the incidents, Chaudhry said four law enforcement personnel, including a member of the Frontier Corps, lost their lives during the disturbances.

“The scenes witnessed in Azad Kashmir were deeply painful not only for its residents but for all Pakistanis,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, whose party leads the government in AJK, appealed to protesters to bring their demonstrations to a peaceful conclusion.

Bilawal warned that continued unrest could create opportunities for hostile elements and what he termed the “India-Israel nexus” to exploit the situation for their own purposes.

Separately, a spokesperson for the Inspector General of Police AJK said that violent activities linked to the proscribed JAAC had resulted in the martyrdom of four law enforcement officials, including Special Sub-Inspector Shehryar, while 89 personnel sustained injuries.

According to the police statement, protesters allegedly damaged the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalakot and attacked patients and staff. Authorities also reported that an armoured personnel carrier (APC) sustained approximately 30 bullet impacts during clashes.

The spokesperson said the law and order situation remained normal in most districts, including Bhimber, Mirpur, Kotli, Sudhnoti, Haveli, Bagh, Jhelum Valley, Muzaffarabad and Neelum, with only minor incidents of stone-pelting reported in some areas.

Police said that from June 6 to June 14, authorities registered 81 cases against individuals allegedly involved in riots and arrested 425 suspects.

Law enforcement agencies also claimed to have recovered 15 automatic weapons, ammunition, communication equipment, documents and other materials from those taken into custody.

According to the statement, more than 400 social media activists allegedly associated with the banned organisation were being placed on the Fourth Schedule.

The police maintained that inter-district traffic was continuing normally and all entry points into Azad Kashmir had been reopened and restored for public use.

Authorities urged citizens to remain peaceful, avoid unlawful gatherings, disregard rumours and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining public order.