The federal government has decided to deploy thousands of security personnel to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to deal with any potential law and order situation ahead of a planned nationwide strike announced by the Kashmir Joint Action Committee.
According to official sources, around 1,000 Punjab Rangers and 2,000 Frontier Constabulary personnel will be sent to AJK. In addition, 2,000 Islamabad Police officers and 1,000 Sindh Police personnel will be temporarily deployed in the region.
The move comes in response to concerns over possible unrest following a strike call by groups associated with the Kashmir Joint Action Committee. Authorities say the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to prevent violence, vandalism, and disruption of public order.
Officials recalled that during protests organized by the Public Action Committee last year, the then AJK government struggled to control the situation, while federal assistance reportedly arrived with some delay. The latest deployment aims to ensure a faster and more effective response if needed.
Government sources maintain that many of the committee’s earlier demands have already been addressed by the federal government and the current Pakistan Peoples Party-led AJK administration. However, authorities have rejected demands related to constitutional amendments and the abolition of assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan.
The AJK government said negotiations were held with strike organizers, but constitutional matters can only be decided by the elected representatives in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Officials added that any future constitutional reforms should be considered by representatives elected through a fresh public mandate in upcoming elections.
