Muzaffarabad : The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Tuesday said all state institutions were working in close coordination to maintain law and order, protect the public and ensure the uninterrupted provision of essential services across the region.
Addressing a joint press conference in Muzaffarabad alongside AJK Secretary for Education Qazi Inayat, Interior Secretary Chaudhry Guftar Hussain said the civil administration and security agencies were taking all necessary measures to preserve peace and restore normalcy.
He alleged that the banned Awami Action Committee had been attempting to disrupt public order for the past 38 days by using protest activities to spread anti-state narratives, intimidate the public and undermine the country’s security institutions. He also claimed that the group was trying to damage the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the people of Kashmir.
The interior secretary further alleged that traders had been forced to close their businesses, while women, children and students were being used as human shields during demonstrations.
According to Chaudhry Guftar Hussain, the majority of AJK residents had rejected the group’s agenda, with normal life gradually returning to most districts. He said educational institutions had resumed classes and routine public activities were continuing.
He warned that law enforcement agencies remained fully prepared to respond to any attempt to create unrest or threaten public safety in accordance with the law.
Referring to recent developments, the interior secretary said Khawaja Mehran, whom he identified as the head of the banned organisation, had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to block all entry points into Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He maintained that similar attempts had failed in the past and would not succeed this time.
Chaudhry Guftar Hussain also claimed that previous protests organised by the banned group had inflicted economic losses worth billions of rupees on the region.
Providing an update on the security situation, he said armed assailants opened indiscriminate fire on civilians at the Muttial Maira Bus Terminal in Rawalakot early Tuesday. When police responded, the attackers allegedly used automatic weapons and explosives against law enforcement personnel.
He said security forces immediately launched an operation against the attackers, while Rangers had also been deployed to Rawalakot to assist the police.
According to the interior secretary, one security official was martyred and another sustained injuries during the exchange of fire.
He added that a clearance operation was continuing in Baloch Bazaar to reopen the Kotli–Tararkhal Road and other major highways. The operation would continue until all routes were reopened to restore traffic, ensure the supply of essential goods, safeguard citizens and fully re-establish peace.
Reaffirming the government’s position, Chaudhry Guftar Hussain said no group would be allowed to paralyse daily life or disrupt businesses, educational institutions and healthcare services.
He added that normal activities had resumed across most parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, except for a few areas in Rawalakot. Government and private educational institutions were functioning as usual, while summer camps for board examination students had commenced in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Leepa, Kel and other areas.
Speaking on the occasion, AJK Secretary for Education Qazi Inayat said involving students in protest activities deprived them of their right to education and endangered the future of the younger generation.
