ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has alleged that efforts are being made to sabotage free and fair elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside veteran Kashmiri politician Sardar Ateeq Ahmad Khan, Chaudhry said that the AJK Legislative Assembly has completed its constitutional term.
He stated that attempts are being made to undermine transparent elections in AJK despite the fact that the government has accepted most of the demands put forward by the Joint Action Committee (JAC).
“The prime minister had constituted a high-level committee to negotiate with the Kashmir Action Committee, and all clauses of the agreement reached with the Joint Action Committee had been implemented," he said.
He added that the government had fulfilled several demands, including the provision of electricity at Rs3 per unit in AJK, subsidies on flour and other essential commodities and improvement in internet services.
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The minister said that the Joint Action Committee had attempted to aggravate the situation by issuing another call for protests.
He also criticized the committee’s demand to abolish refugee seats in the AJK Assembly, noting that the courts had already clarified that these constitutional seats could not be removed without legislation.
Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry claimed that certain elements were inciting citizens in AJK and questioned whether there was an attempt to weaken the strong relationship between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir or to undermine the Kashmir cause at a time when international attention is focused on Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Ateeq urged the Joint Action Committee not to adopt an uncompromising stance.
He said that the Government of Pakistan had accepted most of the committee’s demands.
He reiterated that the government had made sincere efforts to address public concerns through dialogue and implementation of agreed measures.