The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has incurred losses estimated at Rs15 billion during a month-long strike organized by the banned Public Action Committee, which reportedly aimed to destabilize peace in the region. This was revealed during a joint press briefing by Information Secretary Rashid Hanif and Azad Kashmir Police officials on Monday.
Hanif dismissed rumors suggesting the government would revoke fundamental rights or public subsidies following the unsuccessful July 5 strike, labeling such claims as baseless. He emphasized that the government continues to provide significant subsidies on essential commodities like flour and electricity to support the public.
The Public Action Committee was banned due to its involvement in previous violent incidents. Hanif accused the group of receiving financial support from India and noted that 79 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against its leaders and alleged affiliates.
He highlighted that both the general public and traders rejected the strike call on July 5. However, the committee’s actions instilled fear and disrupted daily life in areas such as Poonch and Sudhnoti. Hanif criticized the group for inciting youth violence, stating it had replaced their pens with sticks, symbolizing a shift from peaceful protest to aggression.
Statements from the committee’s leaders have revealed their true intentions, including threats to disrupt electricity transmission from the Mangla Dam. Hanif recounted violent episodes, such as the May 2023 attack on the Assistant Commissioner’s office in Dadyal, where an official vehicle was set on fire, and the killing of Sub-Inspector Adnan Qureshi in Islamgarh. Additional incidents included the burning of the Assistant Commissioner’s vehicle in Khoi Ratta and the disarming of security personnel.
He further alleged that in November 2024, Islamabad police officers were taken hostage, and others were assaulted and mistreated in Palak, Mirpur. An Assistant Commissioner was reportedly attacked with a dagger in Drikot in an attempted murder, while officials including SP Bagh were held hostage and beaten. The violence also resulted in the deaths of three police personnel and two civilians during a shooting in Dhirkot.
The banned committee reportedly felled hundreds of trees to block roads and forcibly closed markets in Hajira. Trucks carrying food supplies were allegedly looted, depriving the public of essential goods in an attempt to blame the government. Hanif accused the group of threatening shopkeepers and desecrating mosques by using them for announcements.
He warned against believing fabricated news, noting that old images were being circulated on social media to fuel an anti-government narrative. The public was urged to verify information through reliable sources.
Hanif also accused the banned committee of collecting donations to purchase drugs and weapons, and of exploiting women, children, and students as human shields in Poonch district. Residents near the Line of Control (LoC) were reportedly prevented from accessing Hajira town.
In a recent incident, armed individuals assaulted two people in Sangola Bazaar on July 1, 2026. Hanif dismissed propaganda related to a July 4 shooting as false and claimed it was generated using artificial intelligence.
