ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has formally accused the banned Joint Action Committee of failing to respect the integrity of the peaceful and transparent elections recently held in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He stated that the organization is actively attempting to undermine the Kashmir cause through calculated acts of violence, though he remained confident that their efforts would meet with ultimate failure.

During a joint media briefing in Rawalakot, AJK, held alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday, Tarar emphasized that the Kashmiri populace responded with enthusiasm to the democratic process. He noted that major political stakeholders, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), were fully engaged in the campaign. Highlighting the scale of public participation, the minister pointed out that approximately 600,000 votes were cast in the Mirpur Division alone, marking a significant milestone for regional stability and democratic governance.

Allegations of Violence and External Influence

Addressing the security situation, Tarar alleged that the banned Joint Action Committee, unsettled by the successful and transparent electoral process, resorted to violence to disrupt public order. Referring to recent briefings provided by the AJK government’s spokesperson, the minister claimed that evidence suggests this group opposes the development and peace of the region, as well as the deep-rooted relationship between AJK and Pakistan.

“When they realized that the elections had been conducted successfully, freely, fairly and peacefully, they resorted to violence,” Tarar asserted. The minister further disclosed that security forces have recovered prohibited weapons from members of the group, who he accused of initiating gunfire to incite instability. He underscored the government’s stance that these actions were not genuine expressions of protest but were, instead, the operations of an organized entity allegedly operating with external funding to subvert state security.

Commitment to Regional Stability

The information minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting the Azad Kashmir administration in maintaining law and order. He maintained that no individual or organization would be permitted to threaten public safety or undermine the stability of the state. These measures are critical to ensuring that national security remains uncompromised.

Concluding his remarks, Tarar stated, “They seek to harm the Kashmir cause. We have never allowed the Kashmir cause to be undermined in the past, nor will we allow it in the future. Failure will be their destiny, and their anti-Kashmir agenda will not succeed.” The government remains vigilant as it addresses these security challenges, ensuring that the democratic will of the Kashmiri people continues to prevail against attempts at political disruption.