ISLAMABAD - Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif strongly reacted to the protest staged by the banned Joint Action Committee in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), stating that dialogue can only move forward when accompanied by loyalty to the state and full compliance with its laws and authority. In a statement on social media platform X, he suggested that some misguided brothers in Azad Kashmir, who are currently pursuing a certain agenda, must read Article 5 of the Constitution of Pakistan. The Defence Minister emphasized that Article 5 demands unwavering loyalty to the state from every citizen. Khawaja Asif also referenced a verse from Surah Al-Ma’idah in his statement.
External Financing Allegations
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah claimed on Saturday that external elements were financing the proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), saying the banned outfit rejected multiple offers aimed at peaceful resolution of disputes. Speaking to a private TV channel, Sanaullah said that the banned outfit had never before demanded the abolishment of 12 refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Assembly. “They [JAAC] made the demand in October 2025 along with the other 38 demands and agreed to the formation of a committee on this matter,” he said.
Government Ban on JAAC
The AJK government on June 5 declared JAAC a proscribed organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), stating that the group was engaged in terrorism. The ban was imposed days ahead of the banned outfit’s planned June 9 protest seeking the abolition of 12 seats in the AJK reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947. Sanaullah said that the banned JAAC had raised a new demand this time, seeking the removal of the declaration stating that Kashmir would accede to Pakistan after independence, from the undertaking required to be signed for the AJK Assembly elections.
Local Resentment and Economic Impact
According to a Radio Pakistan report, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the people are expressing resentment over the protest by banned Awami Action Committee, terming it harmful for tourism and economy. People in Neelum Valley and other tourist destinations have said that repeated strikes and protest activities have severely affected tourism and the local economy. People associated with hotels, guest houses and tourism-related businesses maintained that the prevailing uncertainty has caused them significant financial losses. They urged the government to take effective measures to maintain law and order and restore economic activity in the region.
Tribute Paid to Mehdi Hassan
In a separate development, tribute was paid to Shahenshah-e-Ghazal Mehdi Hassan, the legendary ghazal singer, though details were not provided in the original report.
