Azad Jammu Kashmir

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    AJK polling underway at 23 atations in Bagh

    ByJustpaste.in

    BAGH: Voting is underway at 23 polling stations across two constituencies in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) Bagh district, in a closely watched exercise following disputes and allegations of irregularities during the region’s phased elections. Polling began at 8am on Saturday and is scheduled to continue until 5pm, with authorities deploying additional security personnel to ensure voters can cast their ballots without fear or disruption. The polling is being held in LA-15 (Bagh Central) and LA-16 (Eastern Bagh), where voting could not take place at several stations during the third phase of the elections earlier this week. The AJK Election Commission subsequently withheld the results of both constituencies and ordered polling at the remaining stations. In LA-15, PPP candidate Sardar Ziaul Qamar had secured 16,637 votes in the stations where polling was held, followed by PML-N’s Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas with 15,015 votes. Jamaat-i-Islami candidate retired Brig Dr Muhammad Khan stood third with 12,259 votes. Meanwhile, the withheld result in LA-16 involves 14 polling stations with 7,238 registered voters. Results from the remaining stations had placed PML-N’s Sardar Mir Akbar in front with 19,515 votes, giving him a lead of 3,225 votes over PPP’s Sardar Qamaruz Zaman. The contest has remained tense, with candidates from all five parties accusing their rivals of large-scale rigging. Election authorities, however, have stressed that adequate security has been arranged. AJK Chief Election Commissioner retired Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said sufficient police and law-enforcement personnel had been deployed at polling stations to provide voters with a “fear-free environment”. The latest polling is part of an election process conducted in phases amid unrest and law-and-order concerns across the region. The third phase was initially planned for all 11 constituencies of Poonch Division but was limited to Bagh and Haveli districts after security concerns emerged. The Election Commission has already announced the result for LA-14 (Bagh-I), where Jammu Kashmir Awami Dast-o-Bazu Party candidate Sajid Iqbal Abbasi won by a substantial margin. The election in neighbouring LA-17 (Haveli), however, has become the subject of a separate dispute after AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was declared the winner. His PML-N rival, Engineer Mohsin Aziz, challenged the result, prompting the Election Commission to hear arguments from both sides. With voting now underway at the remaining 23 stations, attention is focused on turnout, security and whether the fresh polling will finally settle the disputed contests in Bagh.

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    AJK police allege 8 officers ‘abducted&#8217…

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    MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police on Thursday alleged that eight highway police personnel deployed for election duty had been “abducted” by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), as tensions continue to simmer across the region. Police spokesperson SSP Khawar Ali Shaukat made the allegation during a televised press conference in Rawalakot, claiming that the personnel were being held by members of the group and had been subjected to what he described as “brutal abuse”. According to the spokesperson, the security personnel were attacked while carrying out their election-related duties. He claimed the officials’ families had also been threatened, allegedly being warned that the personnel would be killed if the protesters’ demands were not accepted. “We will not allow pressure to be exerted over the lives of these officials,” Shaukat said, calling for the immediate release of the personnel. He warned that authorities would take action if the officials were harmed, their release was obstructed or their families continued to receive threats. The police spokesperson also rejected the perception that the JAAC was a peaceful movement, alleging that recent incidents showed the group was willing to use violence to challenge the state’s authority and institutions. “The state is not weak,” he said, adding that authorities had exercised restraint despite the escalating tensions. Shaukat also appealed to residents to distance themselves from the group and urged parents to monitor their children, alleging that propaganda was being used to encourage young people to participate in unrest. His remarks came as AJK continues to hold elections in phases amid heightened security concerns. The region has witnessed weeks of demonstrations led by the JAAC, which has been demanding, among other things, the abolition of 12 seats in the local legislature reserved for refugees from Indian-held Kashmir. Tensions escalated on July 28 when clashes were reported between protesters and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot and Mirpur. The violence reportedly resulted in several casualties and further intensified the political and security situation. The government has also accused elements it describes as militants of exploiting the unrest and pursuing a foreign agenda, alleging Indian financial backing. Those allegations have added another layer to an already tense political environment. Last week, AJK Information Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif said seven law enforcement personnel, including police and Rangers officials, had been killed during the recent unrest. Meanwhile, Thursday’s police statement has placed renewed focus on the safety of personnel deployed for election duties. Shaukat called on the JAAC to release the eight officials and warned that any further violence against state employees would trigger a firm response under the law and Constitution. The allegations have not been independently verified, and the JAAC’s response to the police claims was not included in the report.

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    PML-N eyes two-thirds majority in AJK

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    Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has expressed confidence that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will form the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) with a two-thirds majority. Addressing an election rally in Bagh on Saturday, Sanaullah urged voters to turn out in large numbers for Monday’s polling in Bagh and Haveli. He said the PML-N had won 24 seats in the first two phases and needed six more seats to secure a two-thirds majority. Sanaullah predicted that the party would win four additional seats in the August 10 elections in Bagh and Haveli, while securing another five seats when polling takes place later in the remaining constituencies of Poonch Division. He said AJK voters had placed their trust in the PML-N, its leader Nawaz Sharif and the party’s development record in Punjab. The third phase was initially planned for all 11 constituencies of Poonch Division. However, authorities revised the schedule due to law and order concerns. Polling on August 10 will now take place only in Bagh and Haveli, with elections in the remaining constituencies to follow later. Sanaullah also promised that a future PML-N government would focus on development projects across AJK. He further said the government would hold talks with representatives of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has been protesting across the region and demanding the removal of 12 seats in the AJK legislature reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. Sanaullah said resolving the JAAC’s concerns would be among the new government’s priorities if the PML-N secures a two-thirds majority.

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    PML-N vows to deliver on Kashmir promises

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    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the time has come to fulfill the commitments made to the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), following the party’s strong performance in the region’s elections. Addressing an election rally in Haveli, Rana Sanaullah said the people of AJK had already expressed their confidence in PML-N through their vote. He stated that the party had secured 24 seats in the elections, surpassing the 23-seat threshold required to form the government in the Legislative Assembly. He described the electoral process as one of the fairest and most transparent in AJK’s history, saying voters had placed their trust in former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the party’s development agenda. According to him, PML-N now carries the responsibility of honoring every promise made during the election campaign. Rana Sanaullah said AJK witnessed significant progress whenever PML-N governed both Pakistan and the region. He pledged that the party would launch a new phase of development if it formed the next government, adding that projects similar to those introduced in Punjab would also be implemented across AJK to improve infrastructure, public services, and economic opportunities. He said the party remains committed to accelerating development, strengthening institutions, and improving the quality of life for the people of Kashmir. Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam also addressed the gathering and praised the resilience of residents living along the Line of Control (LoC). He said the people of the border areas have made extraordinary sacrifices in defending the country and deserve continued recognition and support. Amir Muqam said the PML-N leadership has consistently stood with the people of Kashmir and remains committed to safeguarding their interests while pursuing policies aimed at development, stability, and prosperity in the region.

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    AJK PML-N chief rejects PPP rigging allegations, c…

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    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Shah Ghulam Qadir has strongly rejected the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) allegations of election rigging, describing the claims as “baseless” and insisting that the election results genuinely reflect the will of the people. Addressing party office-bearers and workers from across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as representatives of Kashmiri refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) residing in Pakistan, Qadir congratulated supporters on what he described as a decisive electoral victory for the PML-N. He said the party was preparing to establish a stable government in AJK under the leadership of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. According to Qadir, the upcoming government will focus on accelerating development projects and improving public welfare across the region. Highlighting the party’s previous tenure, Qadir said that infrastructure and development initiatives undertaken by the PML-N in AJK demonstrate its commitment to serving the people. He added that the party remains determined to address public concerns and deliver essential services at the grassroots level. With the final phase of polling in Rawalakot Division scheduled for August 10, Qadir appealed to party workers to maintain peace, cooperate with election authorities, and help ensure a smooth electoral process. He expressed confidence that voters in Rawalakot would extend their support to the PML-N, predicting a strong electoral performance in the division. Responding to criticism from opposition parties, Qadir reiterated that the elections in Mirpur Division, Muzaffarabad Division, and the 12 refugee constituencies reserved for Kashmiris from IIOJK settled in Pakistan were conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. He argued that the election results clearly demonstrated public confidence in the PML-N. Qadir also criticised the PPP, suggesting that the party should focus on addressing governance challenges in Sindh rather than questioning the electoral process in AJK. The meeting was attended by several senior PML-N leaders, including AJK Legislative Assembly member Raja Muhammad Riasat Khan, former minister Sardar Farooq Sikandar, Kashmir Council member Malik Muhammad Hanif, and other party officials, who congratulated Qadir on the party’s performance in the recently concluded phases of the AJK elections.

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    PML-N leads as second phase of AJK elections concl…

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    The second phase of the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Assembly elections concluded with voters casting their ballots across multiple constituencies under heightened security. Preliminary and unofficial results indicated that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured victories in several constituencies, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also registered wins in selected seats. Election authorities continued the counting process as additional results were awaited. More than one million registered voters were eligible to participate in the second phase of the elections. Polling stations were established across the region and in designated constituencies for Kashmiri refugees residing in different parts of Pakistan. In some areas, polling hours were extended to facilitate voters and improve participation. According to preliminary results, PML-N emerged as the leading party in the declared constituencies, strengthening its position in the AJK Assembly. PPP candidates also secured victories in several constituencies, while independent candidates and representatives of other political parties remained competitive in a number of closely contested seats. Final official results are expected after the Election Commission completes the consolidation process. Election day remained largely peaceful, although reports of isolated clashes were received from a few constituencies. Media reports stated that one political worker lost his life during an incident, while several others, including a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, were reportedly injured in separate firing incidents. Authorities are expected to investigate these events, while political parties have urged supporters to remain calm. Security arrangements remained a key feature of the electoral process, with thousands of police personnel deployed at polling stations. Sensitive locations received additional security to ensure the smooth conduct of voting. In one constituency, polling was postponed because of adverse weather conditions and landslides, with the Election Commission announcing a revised polling date. The AJK elections are considered an important indicator of the political landscape in the region. As official results continue to emerge, attention will remain focused on the final distribution of seats and the formation of the next government. Political analysts believe the outcome could influence future policy discussions and shape the region’s governance in the coming years.

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    Seven law enforcement personnel martyred during re…

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    Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Information Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif has said that seven law enforcement personnel, including police and Rangers officials, were martyred during the recent unrest in the region. In a televised address on Monday, Hanif said the casualties occurred during clashes linked to ongoing protests by the now-proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The committee has been demonstrating in the region for several weeks over its demand to abolish 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-held Kashmir. The unrest intensified after clashes between protesters and security personnel in Rawalakot and Mirpur last week. The incidents reportedly resulted in multiple casualties and increased tensions across the region. Hanif stated that weapons allegedly recovered from JAAC members were presented during a previous press conference by a police official on July 27. He claimed that seven law enforcement personnel were killed using similar weapons, while 45 personnel suffered serious injuries and several others sustained minor injuries. The AJK information secretary also alleged that police and Rangers vehicles were damaged and burned during the unrest. He claimed that the incidents indicated the presence of armed elements within the banned organization and accused them of attempting to challenge the state’s authority and disrupt peace. Responding to allegations made by JAAC regarding events in Rawalakot and surrounding areas between July 27 and July 31, Hanif rejected the claims and described them as part of a misinformation campaign. He said the security institutions of AJK had shown restraint and professionalism while handling the law and order situation. Hanif denied allegations of unprovoked firing by security forces and rejected claims that bodies were being withheld. He stated that the government currently had no bodies in its custody and accused the organization of spreading misleading information through social media. He further alleged that JAAC activists had been involved in blocking and damaging vehicles carrying essential supplies and food items. The information secretary also highlighted previous incidents involving casualties among law enforcement personnel, claiming that one police official was martyred in 2024 and three others in October 2025 during unrest-related incidents. Meanwhile, the AJK government criticized international media reports regarding the clashes, describing some coverage as biased and incomplete. Officials said reports should have included the government’s position and verified information before publication. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also criticized coverage of the AJK elections by some media outlets, alleging selective reporting from specific polling locations. The situation in AJK remains tense as authorities continue security measures while political and public disputes over electoral representation and governance issues continue. The government and protest groups have presented conflicting accounts of the events, and further developments are expected as investigations proceed.

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    Polling resumes in Muzaffarabad as AJK elections e…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Polling is underway at 57 polling stations in Muzaffarabad for two constituencies of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, LA-27 and LA-28, following a one-day delay caused by adverse weather conditions. Voting in the two constituencies was postponed on Sunday after bad weather disrupted the electoral process. Polling has now resumed, with voters turning out to cast their ballots and choose their representatives. Election staff and security personnel have been deployed at the polling stations to facilitate voters and maintain law and order throughout the voting process. The elections are being held in phases across Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to unofficial and preliminary results announced so far, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has won 14 constituencies, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has secured victories in five constituencies. The results remain unofficial until the relevant election authorities complete the formal process and announce the final outcome. The overall electoral picture is expected to become clearer as polling concludes in the remaining constituencies and official results are compiled. The third phase of the elections will take place in the Poonch Division on August 10. The division includes four districts—Rawalakot, Poonch, Bagh and Haveli—and comprises 11 Legislative Assembly constituencies, ranging from LA-14 to LA-24. Political parties are now focusing on the upcoming phase as voters in the Poonch Division prepare to participate in the electoral process. The August 10 polling will mark another key stage in the AJK elections, with the results expected to play an important role in determining the final composition of the Legislative Assembly. Election authorities have urged voters to exercise their right to vote peacefully and follow the established electoral procedures. The final results from all phases will provide a complete picture of the electoral mandate and determine the political balance in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

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    Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein: Rana Qasim N…

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    Chairman of the Parliamentary Kashmir Committee and Federal Minister Rana Qasim Noon has said that Kashmir remains central to Pakistan’s national interests, stressing that the country has already fought wars to defend the region and will continue to stand by the Kashmiri people. Speaking about the current regional situation, Noon alleged that following India’s defeat in last year’s conflict, New Delhi has been attempting to create instability in Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He warned that Pakistan would not allow any external force to undermine its sovereignty or destabilize the country. Noon said Azad Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan and asserted that no power in the world could separate it from the country. He also criticized attacks and abusive behavior directed at the military, police and other state institutions, saying that such conduct would not be tolerated in any country. The federal minister said the government has previously responded to public demands by providing relief and would continue to address genuine concerns in the future. However, he firmly rejected calls to withdraw the voting rights and political representation of refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir living in Pakistan. According to Noon, removing the political rights of Kashmiri refugees would amount to betraying the sacrifices made by the Kashmiri people over decades. He maintained that refugees from occupied Kashmir must retain their right to vote and participate in the political process. The Kashmir Committee chairman also drew attention to the ongoing situation in Indian-administered Kashmir, alleging that Indian authorities continue to suppress the Kashmiri population. He said several Kashmiri leaders have remained imprisoned for decades, with some spending between 30 and 40 years behind bars. Noon further accused India of altering the demographic landscape of occupied Kashmir by issuing what he described as fraudulent domiciles to Indian citizens and facilitating their settlement in the region. He argued that those advocating the removal of refugees’ voting rights were, knowingly or unknowingly, supporting an agenda that serves India’s interests. He vowed that such efforts would not succeed and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the political and democratic rights of Kashmiri refugees. The minister called for unity on the Kashmir issue and said Pakistan would continue to raise its voice for the rights of the people of Kashmir at national and international forums.

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    Mill’s “On Liberty” in the era of censorship

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    In his 1859 political treatise On Liberty, Victorian philosopher John Stuart Mill issued this timeless warning. The greatest threat to humanity is not monarchical despotism, but the tyranny of the majority enforced through state power. The Harm Principle At the heart of Mill’s philosophy lies the Harm Principle. The radical assertion that authority can only be legitimately exercised over a member of a civilized community against their will to prevent harm to others. Beyond this minimal threshold, individual autonomy over mind, body, and speech must remain absolute. Re-reading Mill today reveals a truth. His warnings are no longer abstract political theory. They provide a precise mirror for contemporary state overreach. This overreach is illustrated by the erosion of civil liberties in Indian-administered Kashmir and the systemic suppression of media outlets like Al Jazeera. The Harm Principle and the Disfranchisement of Kashmir Mill argued that suppressing individual self-determination degrades both the citizen and the state. In Kashmir, the unilateral revocation of constitutional autonomy, prolonged blackouts, and detentions of political leaders represent a case of majoritarian coercion. A state strips millions of their basic political rights under the justification of order or national integration. So, it violates the core of Millian liberty: consent and self-governance. Mill cautioned against treating entire populations as passive subjects incapable of directing their own political destiny. By denying Kashmiris the freedom to assembly, political self-expression, and uninhibited digital communication, state machinery replaces organic democratic engagement with enforced compliance. In Mill’s framework, a government that fears the peaceful political expression of its people reveals the fragility of its own moral authority. Ban on Al Jazeera Mill’s second chapter, dedicated to freedom of thought provides the intellectual critique of state censorship. He argued that silencing an opinion is a unique crime against humanity because it presumes the state possesses infallibility. Even if an perspective is deemed antagonistic, banning it deprives the public of testing truth against error. This principle directly challenges the recent enforcement of the Al Jazeera Law, under which the Israeli government shut down the Qatari broadcaster’s local operations, confiscated equipment, and blocked access to its platforms. Citing national security threats, state authorities effectively declared themselves the sole arbiters of acceptable news coverage. Mill would argue that invoking national security to silence reporting—especially during conflicts where independent oversight is most vital—is a classic instrument of state self-protection, not public safety. When a state decides which facts citizens and the international community are allowed to hear, it undermines the very foundation of a free society. Why Mill Matters Today   On Liberty remains an indispensable framework because it demonstrates that liberty is not a luxury granted by governments, but an essential condition for truth and justice. Whether in the militarized silence enforced upon Kashmir or the legislative bans silencing journalists, the modern state increasingly employs legal mechanisms to enforce conformity. Mill reminds us that a society that trades fundamental liberties for state-defined security ultimately preserves neither.