AJK government says month-long strikes caused Rs15bn losses

WEB DESK: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Monday claimed it suffered losses of up to Rs15 billion during month-long strikes staged by the banned Public Action Committee, accusing the group of attempting to disrupt peace and stability in the region.

Addressing a joint press conference alongside Azad Kashmir Police officials, Information Secretary Rashid Hanif said the committee’s activities had caused financial losses amounting to Rs15 billion over the past month.

Hanif rejected reports that the government would withdraw fundamental rights or public subsidies following the failure of the committee’s July 5 strike call, describing such claims as false.

He said the government continued to provide substantial subsidies on flour and electricity for the public.

Hanif said the organisation had been declared banned because of its alleged involvement in previous violent incidents. He further alleged that anti-state elements were receiving funding from India and said 79 first information reports (FIRs) had been registered against the committee’s leaders and other suspects.

According to Hanif, the public and business community rejected the July 5 strike call. He alleged that the group’s activities created fear and unrest in the Poonch and Sudhnoti districts, severely affecting the daily lives of residents.

He also accused the committee of encouraging violence among young people, saying it had “taken pens from their hands and replaced them with sticks.”

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Hanif claimed statements made by the committee’s leaders had exposed its agenda and alleged that some members had threatened to disrupt electricity transmission from Mangla.

Recalling previous incidents, Hanif alleged that in May 2023 a violent mob attacked the Assistant Commissioner’s office in Dadyal and set an official vehicle on fire.

He said Sub-Inspector Adnan Qureshi was shot dead in Islamgarh, while an Assistant Commissioner’s vehicle was also set ablaze in Khoi Ratta. He further alleged that security personnel had been disarmed after their weapons were snatched.

Hanif claimed Islamabad police personnel were taken hostage in November 2024 and alleged that police officers were assaulted in Palak, Mirpur.

He also alleged that an Assistant Commissioner was attacked with a dagger in Drikot, while the Superintendent of Police (SP) Bagh and other officials were taken hostage and assaulted.

According to Hanif, three police personnel and two civilians were killed in firing in Dhirkot.

He further alleged that members of the banned committee felled hundreds of trees to block roads, forcibly shut markets in Hajira and looted trucks carrying food supplies, depriving residents of essential goods.

Hanif also claimed that some committee leaders threatened shopkeepers and misused mosques for public announcements.

He alleged that old images were being circulated on social media to create an anti-government narrative and urged the public to verify information through credible sources before sharing it.

Hanif further alleged that members of the banned organisation collected donations to procure drugs and weapons and used women, children and students as human shields in Poonch district.

He also claimed residents living near the Line of Control (LoC) were prevented from travelling to Hajira town.

Referring to recent incidents, Hanif alleged that armed men assaulted two people in Sangola Bazaar on July 1 and claimed that propaganda surrounding the July 4 firing incident was fabricated and generated using artificial intelligence.