Former AJK PM calls for immediate intervention to curb violence in Rawalakot

Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan has called for immediate intervention to prevent further bloodshed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Rawalakot amid reports of fresh violence in the region.

The city is currently gripped by unrest amid alleged clashes between security forces and supporters of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) rights group, with casualties reported.

In a statement posted on X a day ago, the former AJK premier said, “I appeal to the concerned quarters to intervene to stop the bloodshed in Rawalakot before it is too late.”

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also said that it was “deeply concerned by reports of a fresh spate of violence in Rawalakot in AJK, with allegations of casualties among both protesters and law enforcement personnel”.

It further said: “As raised in our fact-finding mission to AJK earlier in August, we reiterate that the federal and AJK governments must prevent the situation from deteriorating further and immediately begin a meaningful dialogue to address citizens’ concerns. The media must also be given unhindered access to report from the region independently. The priority must be to prevent any loss of life and resolve the situation through political dialogue rather than by force.”

On Thursday, the AJK government directed all weapon licence holders residing in the region to register their licences at the nearest police stations within 10 days, warning that unregistered licences would be treated as cancelled.

Read: AJK orders registration of all weapon licences within 10 days

According to a notification issued by the AJK Home Department, President Dr Najeeb Naqi approved the measure in the interest of public safety and maintenance of law and order.

The unrest in AJK stems from a prolonged protest movement led by the JAAC for constitutional and governance reforms, including the abolition of 12 refugee-reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, an end to privileges for the political elite and changes to the quota system.

Tensions escalated after the AJK government proscribed the JAAC on June 6, ahead of a planned long march and protest on June 9. The government said 35 of the committee’s 38 demands had been accepted or implemented, yet they allegedly resorted to a series of violent attacks on state-backed personnel and assets.

“The Government of AJ&K has reasonable grounds to believe that Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JK-JAAC), also known by the names Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and Awami Action Committee (AAC), is engaged in terrorism,” the notification stated.

On June 11, the government reinstated 177 FIRs against JAAC members, withdrawing concessions previously granted under an October 4, 2025 agreement. Authorities accused the committee of violating the agreement by returning to street protests.

The situation further deteriorated in July, when clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot resulted in casualties. The HRCP subsequently called for an independent investigation as the two sides presented conflicting narratives.

In August, the PML-N formed a government in the region after securing a majority in the AJK elections, with Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani elected as the prime minister.

However, tensions have persisted despite the formation of a new government, with protests and clashes reported in Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad. The Express Tribune could not independently verify the authenticity of the claims.