Expressing deep concern over violent clashes between Azad Jammu and Kashmir police and protesters, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said there should be “no tolerance for taking the law into one person’s hands”.
“Although debates, discussions and peaceful demonstrations are the beauty of democracy, there should be no tolerance for taking the law into one’s own hands and damaging government property,” Prime Minister X said in an interview.
Demonstrations and protests against electricity bills and high taxes entered the third day after the Prime Minister said this calling the AJK government to the Rangers. The protest was organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Action Committee (JAAC).
“Unfortunately, in chaos and dissent, there is always a rush to score political points,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz.
The Prime Minister said that he had spoken to Chief Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq’s AJK and also directed PML-N officials in AJK to talk to the leaders of the action committee.
“I call on all parties to take peaceful action to resolve their demands. Despite the good efforts of the criminals, I hope this issue will be resolved soon. “
It is worth mentioning here that at least one policeman was killed and more than 70 people were injured in clashes between police and protesters in Mirpur.
Meanwhile, JAAC’s central leadership distanced itself from the violent incidents that took place during the protest.
One of the members of JAAC, Sajid Jagwal, said that the action was peaceful. He said they have been sitting for two days and nothing happened.
Another member, Tauseef Mansoor, said the committee had nothing to do with the two or three incidents that took place during the protest.
Sahabzada Waqas, president of Anjuman Tejra, said the protest was not against the government or institutions.
“This army is ours and this country is ours. We are not against the army, Pakistan or any other organization,” the president said.
Another member of JAAC, Asirar Hussain Naqvi, said he was not sure about elimination as this was his nature. “This institution is ours and the police is ours,” he said.
Naqvi said the protesters’ demands were legitimate and no demand could be met.
Earlier, AJK Chief Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said the government is ready to provide concessions on the price of electricity and wheat flour after violent protests.
“The government has held talks with JAAC and we have reached an agreement which we are determined to implement,” said Chief Minister Haq.
Commenting on the incident, Chief Haq said that a policeman was martyred in the protest, but the police AJK showed calmness and patience in the face of fire.
“We are ready to talk with JAAC at any level and the demands related to the government of Pakistan will be raised before the federation,” the prime minister said.
