MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq indirectly blamed the leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) that was behind Monday’s demonstrations in Muzaffarabad, saying that a tragedy could have been averted if its leaders had called off their protests once their demands were accepted.

He was referring to the deaths of three young men who died after being shot by paramilitary personnel, at a packed press conference on Wednesday at the Civil Secretariat along with 24 members of the AJK cabinet, where all coalition partners were represented.

However, despite his assurances that internet services would be re­­stored in AJK by Wednesday afternoon, the area remained disconnected for a second day.

He recalled that as soon as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sanctioned Rs23 billion to address AJK’s problems, notifications about the wheat flour subsidy and reduced power tariff were issued by his government.

The notifications were received by JAAC leaders, who should have sent a message to the charged public that their demands had been met, he said. However, without naming anyone, he said that some people from amongst the JAAC doubted the credibility of these notifications.

“Had they made the announcement in time, the tragedy in Muzaffar­abad could have been averted,” he said.

He said the JAAC had a right to protest, but condemned what he termed “mischief”, which caused the death of one police sub-inspector and injuries to 257 policemen.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2024