rki.news

Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK), Aug. 17: The District Bar Association Mirpur on Monday reiterated its demand for the immediate restoration of internet and banking services across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Mirpur, warning that civil society organizations, including lawyers, would be constrained to observe a complete wheel-jam and shutter-down strike if the disruption continues.
A meeting chaired by District Bar Association President Babar Ali Khan Advocate was attended by office-bearers and representatives of the Central Anjuman-e-Tajiran, AJK Chamber of Commerce, Kashmir Press Club, Private Schools Association and other affiliated organizations.
The participants expressed serious concern over the prolonged suspension of internet services, saying it had severely affected education, banking, online businesses and people associated with the wider social sector.
Referring to a representative meeting held at the Kashmir Press Club Mirpur on Aug. 12, the participants called for the immediate and complete restoration of internet and banking services to ease difficulties faced by the public.
The meeting also demanded a judicial inquiry into incidents of July 28, 2026, in which citizens were reportedly killed and injured in police firing. It called for justice and relief for affected families.
The participants further urged that the situation involving protesters and security forces in Rawalakot be resolved through dialogue and in accordance with the law.
The meeting decided that if internet services were not restored immediately, a complete wheel-jam and shutter-down protest would be observed in Mirpur. The participants said the protest campaign would continue until internet services were fully restored.
Following the meeting, protesters marched along Kashmir Press Club Road and Mian Muhammad Road before gathering at Chowk Shaheedan, chanting slogans demanding restoration of internet services and protection of basic public rights