ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday expressed concern over the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government’s decision to declare the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a proscribed organisation and urged the authorities to address public grievances through dialogues rather than coercive measures.
In a statement, the party also voiced concern over reports of violence in Rawalakot, claiming that one person had lost his life while several others were injured during clashes linked to protests in the region.
PTI said political, social and constitutional disputes should be resolved through democratic engagement, meaningful dialogue and constitutional mechanisms rather than bans or the use of force.
Questioning the government’s decision, the party asked why JAAC had been treated as a legitimate stakeholder in previous months if it was considered a security threat.
PTI noted that the government had held negotiations with the committee, signed agreements with it and accepted some of its demands.
According to the party, the latest strike call followed alleged violations of an agreement reached between the government and the committee.
PTI said JAAC consisted of individuals belonging to different political parties and segments of civil society and had emerged amid public dissatisfaction with governance in the region.
The party drew parallels between the government’s handling of JAAC and what it described as similar measures taken against PTI, including restrictions on protests, road closures, communication shutdowns and legal action against political activists.
PTI maintained that disputes relating to electoral representation, refugee seats and the powers of the Legislative Assembly should be addressed through political engagement, judicial review and constitutional processes rather than through proscription orders.
The party stressed that Kashmir remained a matter of national importance and urged authorities to handle developments in AJK with caution, arguing that internal instability could be exploited by India to undermine Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue.
“Any perception that legitimate public grievances in Azad Jammu and Kashmir are being suppressed through force can damage Pakistan’s democratic credentials and weaken its case internationally,” the statement said.
Referring to historical political crises, PTI argued that the use of force had failed to produce lasting solutions and maintained that political problems required political answers based on dialogue and consensus.
The party called on the government to review its decision to ban JAAC, restore communication services, protect the right to peaceful assembly and initiate talks with all relevant stakeholders.
It further urged the authorities to deal with the situation in AJK with what it described as constitutional wisdom, political maturity and respect for democratic norms.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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