Miscreants’ bid to sow instability in AJK failed: PM

MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said some miscreants in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) protests wanted to cause instability through arson and vandalism but their efforts failed after the matter was resolved amicably.

“Surely, there were people in the movement who were playing their role in a democratic way. But there were some elements, insurgents, who wanted to vandalise properties, cause loss of lives, fight in Azad Kashmir,” he said while addressing the AJK cabinet.

The premier’s statement came during a day-long visit to the AJK on Thursday, two days after the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) called off its protests against inflation, high taxes and electricity bills.

Shehbaz sought a permanent solution to issues being faced by the people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir to prevent the recurrence of violent protests earlier this week. The four-day-long protests in the AJK had claimed at least four lives, including a policeman, while also leaving seven others injured. The protests were called off a day after the federal government announced a Rs23 billion subsidy package for the AJK.

Chairing the special cabinet meeting in AJK, PM Shehbaz said he assured that his government, in collaboration with the AJK leadership, would ensure implementation of mutual understanding and seek a permanent solution to the issues of Kashmiri people. He instructed the formation of a committee to discuss issues like water charge, the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP) and others for the benefit of AJK people.

Referring to the recent movement run by the AJK people for their rights, PM Shehbaz said the people raised their voices for their genuine demands but amidst that some “miscreants tried to create riots and cause killings”. He condoled the killing of a police official and some citizens during the movement and announced that his government would support their respective families under the Shuhada Package. He told the participants that Rs23 billion approved by his government had been released to the AJK government and assured that after the completion of the IMF team’s visit, the federal minister and secretary for power would consult the AJK authorities to seek a permanent solution to the issues and prevent recurrence of such incidents. The prime minister asked his AJK counterpart Chaudhary Anwarul Haq to constitute a committee on his side for necessary consultation with the relevant Pakistani ministries and urged him to take personal ownership of the matter as he would do so in Pakistan. He instructed the authorities to immediately complete the construction of the bridge of Mangla Phase-2 project. Regarding Neelum-Jhelum, he said federal secretary water and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam would discuss the matter with the Kashmiri leadership to formulate short, medium and long-term solutions.

In his initial remarks, AJK premier Chaudhary Anwarul Haq expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz for announcing a historic package of Rs23 billion for the AJK people. Highlighting the age-old bond between the people of Pakistan and Kashmir, Chaudhary Anwarul Haq said that Kashmiris have been aspirants of a strong, stable and prosperous Pakistan. Kashmiris, he said, consider Pakistan as their final destination.

Referring to different issues that have become a subject of hot debate, the AJK prime minister said, “These are the long pending issues that did not arise in a day.” He said that apart from the Neelum-Jhelum project agreement, other issues included Mangla Dam affectees, construction of Rathoa Hariyam Bridge and water usage charges which remain still unaddressed.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz directed an urgent probe, within days, into reasons for the technical fault in the NJHP that led to the suspension of power generation. He issued the directives at the project site where he was briefed by the officials of NJHP company about the recent technical fault during the last month. The prime minister expressed his displeasure that the findings of the inquiry into the recent fault were still awaited and directed the officials to submit the report within days and restore the power generation after repair work as early as possible.

He also directed the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and NJHP company to complete the repair work of the tunnel at the earliest and resume generation.

Separately, in a meeting with a delegation of Hurriyat leaders of Jammu and Kashmir, PM Shehbaz said that no so-called legislation or court verdicts could absolve India of its obligations on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, under international laws. He said that Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian unilateral and illegal actions in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) regarding the revocation of its special status. Shehbaz assured the delegation that Pakistan would continue extending its moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people and cited the recently held OIC summit in Gambia where Pakistan effectively raised the Kashmir issue.

The Hurriyat leaders appreciated the prime minister’s role in handling the recent situation in the AJK and also thanked Pakistan for its steadfast stance in condemning Indian unilateral actions and solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Meanwhile, addressing an event to celebrate the achievement of the Pakistan hockey team that recently won a silver medal in the final of 30th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 in Malaysia, PM Shehbaz directed the formulation of a policy to employ athletes through departments to ensure their financial security and promote sports in the country. He tasked the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood to personally oversee the policy and ensure its implementation within one week. He announced that he would soon invite the relevant officials from the sports board to discuss ways for the revival of hockey. Shehbaz also gave away cheques to the players of the hockey team as a token of appreciation.