AJK govt orders JAAC leaders to surrender

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has asked leaders of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to surrender to law

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has asked leaders of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to surrender to law enforcement authorities. Officials said those who give themselves up will be dealt with under due legal procedures.

The announcement was made during a joint press briefing by senior civil and police officials. They said the government remains open to dialogue but will also continue legal action where required.

Authorities accused JAAC of being involved in violent incidents against police personnel and public property. They said such actions have seriously affected law and order in the region.

The government appealed to the public to stay away from what it called misleading protests. Citizens were urged to focus on peace and stability.

Officials claimed that most of the agreement reached earlier with JAAC had already been implemented. They said 36 out of 38 demands had been fulfilled, including subsidies on electricity.

According to the administration, these reforms placed a heavy financial burden on the government. They said billions of rupees were spent on implementing the agreed measures.

However, officials said the group continued to expand its demands over time. They said this repeatedly disrupted the implementation process and led to new disputes.

The government also addressed the long-standing issue of 12 reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly. Officials said multiple solutions were offered, including judicial review and political dialogue, but none were accepted by JAAC.

They further alleged that the group rejected all proposed mechanisms and continued agitation instead. This, they said, contributed to the breakdown of negotiations.

Security officials said recent unrest led to serious casualties. At least four police personnel were killed and many others were injured in clashes.

They added that hundreds of suspects have been arrested. Dozens of cases have also been registered against individuals linked to the violence.

Authorities said law enforcement operations are ongoing to restore peace across the region. They said maintaining stability remains the top priority.

Meanwhile, the AJK Prime Minister said the government supports meaningful dialogue to resolve the crisis. He said mediation efforts are being encouraged to break the deadlock.

He also noted that talks have been sought through religious leadership to bring both sides closer. The aim is to restart negotiations and reduce tensions.

The Prime Minister said the government has always supported peaceful solutions. He expressed hope that all sides will show flexibility for the sake of stability.

At the federal level, the Defence Minister warned against elements trying to create unrest. He said such forces would be dealt with firmly.

He added that the Kashmir cause should not be undermined by internal instability. He emphasized the importance of unity and discipline.

The current situation in AJK has developed after months of disagreement between the government and JAAC. The main dispute centers on governance reforms and representation issues.

One of the key points of contention remains the status of refugee seats in the assembly. This issue has remained unresolved despite earlier agreements.