MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Azad Jammu and Kashmir Captain (R) Liaquat Ali Malik has called for an additional deployment of security personnel to control and maintain the law and order situation in Azad Kashmir.
In a letter written to the Chief Secretary AJK on Thursday, the IG Azad Kashmir has said that 14,000 additional personnel from the civil armed forces and police forces are required for the security of the masses.
According to the details, 14,000 personnel, inclduing 6000 Federal Constabulary (FC) personnel, 5000 Pakistan Rangers personnel, 2000 Islamabad Police personnel, and 1000 Sindh Police personnel, will be deployed across all districts of the state from June 7 to 21.
The letter mentioned that 60 percent of the additional personnel will have anti-riot equipment, gear, and tear gas shells, etc., while 40 percent will be equipped with weapons and ammunition.
IG AJK has urged the Chief Secretary to direct the Federal Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan, to provide the above additional personnel for 15 days, with a proposal that the police personnel should be dressed in black elite/commando uniform.
Travel Advisory for Tourists
In view of the protest, the Azad Kashmir government has issued an advisory for tourists.
According to the advisory, tourists should avoid traveling to and entering Azad Kashmir from June 5 to 20.
The government has also requested people who have come to Azad Kashmir for tourism and other purposes to leave the region by the evening of June 5 so that they do not face any problems.
Maryam Nawaz or Bilawal Bhutto is expected to visit Muzaffarabad
Moreover, the federal government has reportedly decided to send a high-level political delegation to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the coming days to resolve the demands of the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) through dialogue.
According to sources, preparations are underway for a potential visit by senior political leadership, including Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz or Chairman of the PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to Muzaffarabad to hold talks with representatives of the action committee.
Sources said the move comes amid a sit-in call of JAAC on June 9 over the pending demand of the elimination of 12 Legislative Assembly seats of Kashmiri refugees residing across Pakistan.
According to sources, the federal government, realizing the seriousness of the situation, will possibly send a delegation to Muzaffarabad in the next two days.
The government is said to be prioritizing a peaceful and political resolution to the matter.
Earlier on May 30, members of the federal government’s negotiation team visited Muzaffarabad and held talks with JAAC to settle matters, including the issues of refugee seats, which were ended with any agreement.
The action committee has kept its call for a shutdown protest across the state on June 9 until their pending demands are met.
