TTAP announces relief mission to AJK amid tensions

ISLAMABAD: The opposition alliance Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) has announced that its senior leadership will travel to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday with relief supplies, while criticizing the government’s handling of the situation in the region and calling for dialogue to address ongoing political tensions.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, TTAP spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai said the delegation would carry humanitarian assistance for affected residents and express solidarity with people in Rawalakot, where a protest sit-in has continued in recent days.

Yousafzai alleged that the government had responded to public dissent with force rather than engagement. He claimed that, according to what he described as verified information, dozens of people had lost their lives during the unrest. His claims have not been independently verified, and no official confirmation of the casualty figures was immediately available.

The spokesperson also alleged that leaders associated with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had either been killed or had bounties placed on them. Authorities have not publicly responded to these specific allegations.

Political tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have persisted since widespread demonstrations erupted last year over demands for constitutional, administrative and governance reforms. The JAAC-led protests called for a broad package of changes, including an end to privileges for the political elite, the abolition of 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for refugees and the removal of the existing quota system.

The unrest resulted in deadly clashes before negotiations between the government and the JAAC produced an agreement covering several core demands. As part of that understanding, both sides agreed to establish a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

However, the issue remains unresolved. The JAAC continues to demand the abolition of the reserved refugee seats, while the government maintains its opposition to the proposal.

Yousafzai argued that attempts to suppress opposing voices had deepened political divisions and contributed to the emergence of public movements in the region. He maintained that all outstanding issues could be resolved through meaningful negotiations rather than confrontation.

The opposition alliance said its planned visit is intended to provide humanitarian support while also urging all stakeholders to pursue peaceful dialogue. Political observers say the coming days could prove significant as discussions over governance reforms and representation continue to shape the political landscape in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.