{"id":10330,"date":"2026-08-29T13:52:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T13:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/?p=10330"},"modified":"2026-08-29T13:52:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T13:52:17","slug":"hrcp-mission-calls-for-urgent-inclusive-political-dialogue-in-ajk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/hrcp-mission-calls-for-urgent-inclusive-political-dialogue-in-ajk\/","title":{"rendered":"HRCP mission calls for urgent, inclusive political dialogue in AJK"},"content":{"rendered":"

Press release<\/p>\n

HRCP mission calls for urgent, inclusive political dialogue in AJK<\/strong><\/p>\n

29 August 2026, Lahore<\/em>. A fact-finding mission<\/a><\/span> to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), carried out by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), has traced the recent unrest in the region to institutional distrust, extensive restrictions on freedom of expression and connectivity, and an increasingly confrontational state response, including the disproportionate use of force. Collectively, these measures have deepened polarisation and eroded public trust.<\/p>\n

The mission received conflicting accounts of the scale of violence, the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)\u2019s methods of protest, and the conduct of security forces. Nonetheless, it observes broad convergence among political and community stakeholders\u2014including JAAC supporters and critics as well as political leaders\u2014that the underlying dispute required a political, not coercive, resolution.<\/p>\n

The mission is particularly concerned by allegations of lethal and excessive use of force against protesters. It has also raised concerns over the addition of at least 147 JAAC activists to the Fourth Schedule and the use of anti-terrorism legislation against persons engaged in political dissent. The arrests of activists and journalists, and pressure on the press from both state authorities and JAAC supporters, has further narrowed civic space.<\/p>\n

Having observed the third phase of elections in Bagh, the mission found limited evidence of systematic physical coercion of voters at the polling stations it visited and observed that low turnout in some areas reflected a voluntary boycott and disillusionment rather than obstruction. However, heavy security deployment, communications restrictions, phased polling, and postponed constituencies mean that wider concerns about the credibility of the electoral environment remain unresolved.<\/p>\n

The mission has called for an independent and impartial investigation into all alleged deaths and injuries since June 2026, with accountability applying to both state officials and protesters where evidence establishes individual responsibility. It has urged the government to ensure due process for all those arrested, review the use of anti-terrorism and preventive-detention provisions, and end disproportionate restrictions on communications and movement.<\/p>\n

The mission has further recommended an inclusive political dialogue involving JAAC, political parties and civil society to address underlying grievances. In the longer term, it has recommended the institution of a permanent mechanism by the region\u2019s political parties for resolving political disputes before they escalate. The mission has also called for a constitutional and consultative process to resolve the status of the 12 refugee seats and an independent review by the Election Commission of the 2026 electoral process.<\/p>\n

Asad Iqbal Butt
\nChairperson<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>