FO slams British MPs, diaspora comments on AJK as ill-informed

Pakistan on Monday rejected “irresponsible and ill-informed” remarks by certain members of the diaspora in the United Kingdom and some British lawmakers regarding the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), urging them to refrain from interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said it had taken note of comments made by members of the diaspora in the UK concerning AJK, advising them to contribute positively to the country in which they reside rather than meddling in the affairs of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.

The FO also criticised remarks and queries raised by certain British Members of Parliament, saying they reflected a lack of understanding of the historical context of the issue.

“For those still living in colonial times, it bears reiterating that Pakistan is a sovereign and democratic republic that firmly believes in non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and expects the same from others,” the statement said.

The Foreign Office reiterated that the governments of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir fully respect citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and democratic participation. However, it stressed that acts of vandalism, destruction of public services, including hospitals, and the killing of innocent civilians and law enforcement personnel could not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The FO also urged the British government to caution individuals supporting proscribed organisations and encourage respect for the democratic process, judicial decisions and the rule of law as enshrined in the constitutions of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.

The development comes as four police personnel, including a sub-inspector, have been killed in clashes between law enforcement agencies and protesters belonging to the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Aaj News reported on Monday.

Rawalakot Commissioner Sardar Waheed said that, according to a police report, 13 police officials from the Azad Kashmir Police were injured by gunfire during the clashes.

He also confirmed that civilians injured during the unrest were affected by shelling. However, he said the situation had since returned to normal and clashes between police and protesters had ceased.

The tensions erupted after the government declared the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee a banned organisation on Friday night and launched a crackdown against it. Those arrested include prominent committee leaders Anjum Zaman and Raja Sohaib Javed.

The Awami Action Committee has called for a long march and protest on June 9. In anticipation of the demonstration, Section 144 has been imposed in Muzaffarabad, internet services have been suspended, and heavy contingents of Rangers and Frontier Corps personnel have been deployed at sensitive locations, including the High Court, Legislative Assembly and the Presidency.

The banned committee’s primary demand is the abolition of the 12 seats reserved in the Legislative Assembly for refugees residing in Pakistan.