rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao
A large peace rally was held in Mirpur on Sunday, where participants reportedly rejected the July 5 call issued by the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.
The rally drew participation from traders, lawyers, doctors, political activists, social leaders, and members of civil society.
The procession began at Quaid-e-Azam Stadium and passed through Mian Muhammad Road, Allama Iqbal Road, and other key routes before concluding at Chowk Shaheedan, where it turned into a large public gathering. Participants carried the national flags of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and raised slogans in support of Pakistan, Kashmir, and the armed forces, while also denouncing India and the banned committee.
Addressing the gathering, speakers including Chaudhry Mahmood, Javed Butt, Abdul Shakoor Mughal, Gulnar Hussain, Nasreen Malik, and others said that key public demands regarding affordable electricity and subsidized flour had already been addressed by the governments of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
They argued that the issue of 12 reserved refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly had never been a public concern and termed attempts to politicize it as part of a broader conspiracy. Speakers said these seats are filled by representatives of Jammu and Kashmir refugees settled in Pakistan, who made significant sacrifices during migration.
They also alleged that certain overseas elements were attempting to undermine state interests under external influence. The speakers emphasized Pakistan’s growing international role and warned against disruptive elements seeking to destabilize the region.
Criticizing the banned Action Committee, they accused it of pursuing an external agenda and attempting to create unrest by focusing on constitutional matters rather than public welfare issues.
The rally concluded with prayers for Pakistan’s progress, stability of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and martyrs of Kashmir and Pakistan.