PROVINCE REPORT
MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Monday accused the banned Public Action Committee of orchestrating violent activities, disrupting public life and attempting to undermine the democratic process, alleging that the group’s actions had caused an estimated Rs15 billion in economic losses over the past month.
Addressing a joint press conference in Muzaffarabad, the AJK Secretary for Information and the Police Spokesperson said the organization had been declared banned due to its alleged involvement in previous violent incidents and claimed that the movement had been “hijacked” by anti-state and extremist elements.
The Information Secretary alleged that the committee attempted to sabotage the upcoming electoral process by calling strikes and creating an atmosphere of fear among traders and the public. He claimed that despite these efforts, the July 5 strike call was widely rejected by citizens and the business community, who preferred stability and economic relief over unrest.
According to the government, the region has already been provided significant subsidies on electricity and flour, while misleading narratives were allegedly being spread to convince people that failure to support the strike would result in the loss of their rights and government benefits.
The officials further alleged that the banned committee used inflammatory speeches against state institutions and security forces, encouraged civil disobedience, threatened to disrupt electricity transmission from the Mangla power project and promoted anti-state slogans during protests.
The Information Secretary also alleged that the organization maintained links with anti-Pakistan elements abroad and claimed that some individuals were attempting to exploit the Kashmir issue through foreign-backed propaganda campaigns.
Reviewing a series of incidents, the government alleged that supporters of the banned committee had attacked government offices, set official vehicles on fire, assaulted police personnel, blocked highways, looted trucks carrying food supplies and prevented residents from accessing essential services. Officials also claimed that public infrastructure had been damaged, hundreds of trees had been cut to block roads and several security personnel had been killed or injured during recent clashes.
The Police Spokesperson alleged that armed supporters of the banned committee had attacked police officers in various areas, including Rawalakot and Dadyal, resulting in casualties among law enforcement personnel. He further claimed that security forces had recovered weapons and spiked clubs from several suspects during operations conducted over the past month.
The police also alleged that attacks on supply vehicles had discouraged transporters from entering Azad Kashmir, disrupting the supply chain, while road blockades had delayed emergency medical treatment, contributing to the deaths of three women in separate incidents.
Responding to allegations circulated on social media regarding indiscriminate firing by law enforcement agencies, the Police Spokesperson rejected the claims as false and challenged those making the allegations to provide authentic video evidence. He further alleged that some videos circulating online were manipulated using artificial intelligence and old footage from other conflict zones.
The officials urged the public not to rely on unverified social media content and advised citizens to seek information only from credible and official sources. They also called on members of the banned committee to surrender before the law, stating that the government remained committed to maintaining peace, protecting public safety and ensuring the rule of law across Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
