MUZAFFARABAD: Three PPP workers were injured in an attack on the convoy of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legi­slative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar on Sunday.

Mr Akbar was visiting his constituency Kakliyot village, around 15km south of Muzaffarabad, when the shooting took place, according to Chaudhry Murad Ali, a staff member of the speaker.

The speaker had gone to attend a ceremony where several prominent Muslim Conference (MC) activists were to announce their decision to join the PPP.

The attack took place around 12:45pm when the speaker’s convoy, comprising 20 to 25 vehicles and motorcycles, reached Kakliyot.

Three PPP workers travelling in the convoy were injured as assailants ope­ned indiscriminate fire.

The injured were identified as Mubashir Hussain, who was shot in the head; Muhammad Riaz, who was struck in the shoulder; and Adil Imtiaz, who suffered an arm injury.

The injured were rushed to a hospital in Muzaffarabad, where doctors operated on Mr Hussain and declared his condition out of danger.

Mr Ali said the firing continued even in the presence of the deputy commissioner, additional superintendent of police, and other senior officials who arrived at the scene after the attack.

While addressing his supporters, Spea­ker Akbar reiterated his commitment to constitutional principles and the rule of law.

“I have always practised politics based on respect, harmony, and brotherhood. I would never endanger the life of any person, whether my supporter or opponent,” he said.

Threats

The speaker’s supporters have claimed that authorities were informed of possible threats to the speaker, yet no protective arrangements were made.

Among those MC leaders joining PPP was the father of Raja Amir Zafar, a local district council member.

Mr Zafar had threatened on social media that no one would be allowed to enter the village for the ceremony.

Mr Ali, the speaker’s staff member, said the ceremony had been postponed multiple times during the past four months due to Mr Zafar’s threats.

Despite a reminder three days prior to Sunday’s event, no preventive measures were taken by the authorities, he alleged.

PPP workers staged protests across Muzaffarabad against the attack and set fire to tyres at major intersections such as Chattar and Gojra in Muzaffarabad.

However, upon reaching the city at about 5:30pm, the Speaker managed to calm his supporters and urged them to avoid confrontations.

He also visited the hospital to meet the injured party workers.

Mr Akbar is one of AJK’s most senior parliamentarians, having won seven of the nine elections held since 1985.

The attack on his convoy was condemned by several political leaders.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2025