Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seems to be on the back foot in dealing with protesters in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, following months of violence. Prime Minister’s adviser Rana Sanaullah on Saturday said 99 per cent of the protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are “patriotic” people, stating that the PML (N) representatives would soon meet members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) – a collective of activists that have been spearheading protests in the region.
The development came after the political party, till a few days ago, maintained that members of the banned terrorist group Tehrik-e Taliban were present among the protesters. The Pakistani government’s stand was to justify its crackdown on the protesters.
Addressing a rally on Saturday, ahead of the third phase of “elections” in PoK, Sanaullah said, “99 per cent of those associated with the Joint Awami Action Committee are our patriotic brothers.”
Meanwhile, India has maintained that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of it. New Delhi also asserted that Pakistan has been in “illegal and forcible occupation” of parts of these Union Territories.
Will Pak Govt Solve Deadlock With JAAC?
Sanaullah further said on Saturday, “When the PML(N) government will be formed with two-thirds majority, it will sit with Joint Awami Action Committee representatives. Their first task will be to resolve this issue.” In the two phases of the polls held so far, the establishment-backed PML(N) has won 25 seats – crossing the majority mark in the so-called assembly in PoK, which has 45 elected seats, amid widespread violence and allegations of massive rigging.
For the PML(N), it was a direct contest with the PPP, which is its coalition partner in the federal government.
The PoK region has been witnessing protests for more than two months now. The JAAC, which has been spearheading the protests, was banned by the regional government in June. Their main demand was the abolition of the 12 contentious refugee seats in PoK.
The JAAC alleges that the establishment manoeuvres these seats to install a so-called prime minister of its choosing in PoK.
The protests triggered a severe crackdown by security forces.
On August 7, the UN expressed concern over the security situation in PoK as it highlighted the need for accountability for actions against people engaging in peaceful protest.
(With agency inputs)