ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday issued a stern warning to the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) over recent unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying the state will not ignore activities carried out against the interests of Pakistan and AJK.
He was speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of four newly elected members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council.
The ceremony was attended by AJK President Dr. Najeeb Naqi, Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani, Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, and Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly Tariq Farooq.
The members who took the oath were Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Raja Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas, Chaudhry Muhammad Saeed, and Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed.
Speaking about recent developments in the region, the prime minister expressed regret over what he described as unfortunate incidents in recent months.
He said efforts had been made to resolve the situation through dialogue and consultation, including an All Parties Conference held in Muzaffarabad where all sides were given the opportunity to speak openly.
Shehbaz Sharif said it had been agreed that after new elections, decisions taken by the elected assembly through consensus or majority would be respected.
However, he said that this advice was not accepted and that the law eventually took its course.
The prime minister said Pakistan had a political and legal responsibility to act when forces involved in vandalism and activities against the interests of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir became active.
He also said that some of these activities were being carried out under external influence.
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