AJK protest against inflated bills and taxes enters fourth day

Following violent clashes that left a policeman killed and 70 people injured, the protest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) by Awami Action Committee (AAC) against inflated electricity bills and taxes entered its fourth day.

The protester sit-ins at Kohala-Muzaffarabad road have blocked the road from several locations.

Vehicles loaded with vegetables, fruits, and other commodities could not reach their destinations due to the blockage of transport activities at the 40-kilometre-long road that links Kohala Town with Muzaffarabad.

Amidst wheel-jam and shutter-down strikes, medical stores, schools, and offices were closed, while mobile phone and internet services were also suspended in the valley. 

As many as 70 people were injured in the clashes while the JAAC denied its involvement in the incident. However, following the clashes, heavy contingents of police were deployed at roundabouts and sensitive locations.

On the other hand, Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the situation in AJK and asked Premier Chaudhary Anwar-ul-Haq to pursue talks with AAC.

“I urge all parties to resort to peaceful course of action for resolution of their demands,” the PM penned on X.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed his condolences on the tragic death of the policeman and prayed for the speedy recovery of all those injured.

He emphasised that all stakeholders should show patience and try to resolve the issue through dialogue and mutual consultation.