Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Home Secretary Chaudhry Guftar Hussain said on Wednesday that a campaign on social media was continuing to incite the public against state institutions.
JAAC attempts to affect affairs in AJK: Hussain
He said the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) was attempting to affect affairs in AJK and had made it a regular practice to promote a narrative against state institutions.
Hussain said the committee had started using women, children and students as human shields. He said involving students in protests was equivalent to putting the future of the younger generation at risk.
He said promoting an anti-Pakistan narrative had become part of the committee's conduct. He added that speaking against the Pakistan Armed Forces and disrupting the daily lives of ordinary citizens had also become part of its activities.
The AJK home secretary said the JAAC's purpose was not to protect public rights but to undermine the rule of law. He said no armed group would be allowed to challenge the writ of the state or hold the public hostage.
He said such armed groups did not refrain from attacking unarmed civilians. He added that those supporting unlawful activities would be responsible for the consequences. He also said the government would not be bound to pay compensation or damages to anyone involved in illegal activities.
Hussain said the JAAC's leadership was attempting to present itself as a victim after the losses it had suffered. He added that it was trying to incite the public against law enforcement agencies and had adopted a new strategy after senior leaders distanced themselves from it.
He said the use of women, children and students for political purposes was unacceptable and contrary to human and moral values.
The AJK home secretary said elections in AJK would be held on July 27 as scheduled. He said the election campaign was continuing across the region, with the public taking an active interest in political activities. He added that political parties were also continuing their campaigns in Poonch Division.
Hussain said that the attempts to weaken the relationship between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir would fail.
