Shia orator booked in AJK over alleged blasphemous remarks

The alleged blasphemer 

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police on Tuesday night registered a case under Section 295-C of the Azad Penal Code against a Shiite orator from Chakwal over alleged blasphemous remarks made during a recent religious gathering on the outskirts of the state capital. 

The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at Panjgran police station at 9:30pm, naming the accused as Baqar Ali Khan, son of Muhammad Saqlain Mughal, a resident of Pindkot Chaudhrian, Tehsil and District Chakwal. 

The move came after widespread outrage and mass protests erupted in and around Muzaffarabad earlier in the day, with demonstrators demanding capital punishment for the orator, whom they accused of disrespecting the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). 

According to police and eyewitnesses, thousands of protestors blocked roads by placing obstacles and setting tyres ablaze, bringing traffic to a halt at multiple locations, including Chattar Chowk, Chehla Bandi and Kohala, the main entry point to AJK from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 

The controversy stemmed from a video clip that went viral on Monday, featuring a controversial excerpt from a speech allegedly delivered by the accused during a Majlis held on the 8th of Muharram at the residence of Wajahat Kazmi in Kanoor village, which falls within the jurisdiction of Panjgran police station. 

The remarks sparked widespread condemnation from the Sunni community, who viewed them as highly offensive. Soon after, Syed Ali Raza, the prayer leader of a mosque in Khawarmang village (tehsil Patikka), submitted a formal complaint to police, co-signed by nine other local notables, demanding legal action under Section 295-C, which deals with blasphemy. 

In a video statement posted on Monday afternoon, SSP Muzaffarabad Syed Riaz Haider Bukhari confirmed that police had received the complaint and had acted swiftly to apprehend the suspect.

“We have initiated the strictest legal proceedings to fulfill all requirements and will build a strong case,” the SSP said, urging citizens to preserve communal harmony and avoid provocative actions. 

A separate statement by a police spokesperson urged the public to share any credible evidence related to the viral clip directly with the authorities. 

Meanwhile, tensions escalated further when some members of the Shiite community came to the orator’s defense, asserting that his speech had been taken out of context. Their stance provoked even stronger reactions from Sunni protestors, many of whom took to the streets chanting slogans and demanding the harshest punishment. 

“We can tolerate anything but the slightest disrespect to our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him),” said a demonstrator at Chattar Chowk. “There is no penalty for a blasphemer except execution,” another added. 

The FIR noted that, after the suspect was taken into custody, the case was referred to a committee constituted under Section 156-A of the Azad Penal Code (Amended Act VII of 2020) to evaluate whether the remarks met the legal threshold for blasphemy charges.

According to the FIR, the committee’s preliminary findings confirmed that a prima facie offence under Section 295-C had been committed. Based on its recommendation, police proceeded with registration of the case and forwarded a copy of the report to the Additional Superintendent of Police via the SSP for further investigation, and thus bringing protests to end for the time being.

Tariq Naqash

Indian shelling kills six, injures over 35 in AJK

A man walks through Jura Bazar on Friday/TN

Indian troops unleashed intense and indiscriminate shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) late Thursday night, targeting civilian populations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) until dawn on Friday.

The unprovoked aggression, which resumed after sunset on Friday, left six civilians — including a 40-day-old infant — martyred and more than 30 others injured, officials confirmed.

"This was the heaviest artillery shelling in recent times, affecting even those areas that had largely remained untouched in previous ceasefire violations," said AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq at a press conference in his office on Friday afternoon.

“However, the resilience shown by our people and the befitting response by our armed forces to the enemy's aggression is truly commendable,” he added.

Earlier in the day, officials from Poonch, Muzaffarabad, and Mirpur divisions shared details of the widespread damage and casualties as the shelling intensified past midnight.

In Kotehri Najam Khan village of Bagh district, 22-year-old Usama Ishrat — who had married just ten days earlier — was martyred when an artillery shell, reportedly fired from the Uri sector, pierced the tin roof of his house at around 3:50am.
His sisters, Anoob Shahzadi, 19, and Kashaf Ishrat, 17, along with a neighbour, Basharat Hussain, 52, sustained injuries.

In Haveli district, several people were injured between 12:23am and 2am. Among them were Hurmat Kausar, 22, and her five-year-old daughter Hajira in Nakar Kot village; Muhammad Yasin, 45, in Chanjal; and Shahid Deen, 40, in Forward Kahua.

Six more civilians were injured in the villages of Phagwati, Devi Galli, Mandhol, Dhar Bazar, Mera Kehlot, Zyarat Muhalla, and Chaffar of Hajira and Abbaspur tehsils. They included Rehan Shakoor, 14; Muavia, 22; Malik Mir Akbar, 60; Chaudhry Rafique, 55; Maryam Shahzad, 35; and Muhammad Farooq, 45.

Kotli district suffered the heaviest losses between 1:25am and 2:10am. 

In Gora village of Khuiratta tehsil, 20-year-old Samra Asif and her 40-day-old daughter Ziman Fatima were martyred when a shell struck their house.

In Balyal Bharot village, 58-year-old Raja Shahpal, and in Bandli village, 32-year-old Usman Khalid were also martyred after being hit by shell fragments inside their homes. 

Locals said Khalid had returned from Libya barely a week earlier on vacation.

Those injured in different parts of Khuiratta tehsil included Imtiaz Begum, 45, and her daughters Tahira, 22, and Iqra, 20, Zobia, 22, Banaras, 45, and his son Haroon, 18, Shabbir Hussain, 52, Muhammad Rafique, 70, Muhammad Iqbal, 70, and his son Qaiser Iqbal, 26, Khurshid Mian, 50, and Shagufta Ejaz, 40.

Elsewhere in Kotli district, Muhammad Gul, 53; Salahuddin, 85; and Toshiba Akhtar, 20, were injured in Nakyal and Charhoi tehsils.

In Bhimber district, three civilians — Urooj Shabbir, 16; Muhammad Ashraf, 55; and Muzammil Hussain, 50 — were injured in shelling incidents in Samahni and Barnala tehsils.

In Muzaffarabad division, five civilians were injured in Jhelum Valley and one in Neelum Valley early Friday morning. After maghrib prayers, Indian troops resumed shelling in Neelum valley. One shell landed on a house in Shahkot village, killing a woman.

Apart from human casualties, numerous private homes and public-sector buildings — including healthcare facilities — were damaged in the cross-LoC shelling.

All educational institutions in the region remained closed on Friday. The prime minister said a review of school reopening and board examinations would be undertaken on Monday.

Muzaiz Zahid, an 18-year-old FSc student at a cadet college near Muzaffarabad, expressed concern over academic disruption.

“Our entire schedule is in disarray. Had the exams been held on time, we could have started preparing for university admissions,” he said.

“Despite the escalation, none of my classmates are fearful. Some of them from Bagh even sent me videos of shells flying over their homes last night.”

Prime Minister Haq reiterated that the determination of the Kashmiri and Pakistani people remained unwavering.

He told that in Neelum Valley, 319 residents were evacuated from Bore to Dawarian, and 119 from Ratta Pani to Sharda. In Bagh district, 79 individuals were relocated to Rara.

“People are not willing to leave their homes, which reflects their extraordinary courage,” the premier said. “We had to forcibly evacuate them for their own safety.”

Meanwhile, the government on Friday announced the suspension of weekend holidays in all departments classified as essential services under the AJK Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 2016.

A notification listed 17 departments whose employees were directed to remain present in their offices on Saturdays and Sundays as well.

Total losses

Meanwhile, according to a statement by the SDMA, at least 17 people had embraced martyrdom and 53 others had sustained injuries in AJK since Tuesday night due to missile attacks and shelling along the LoC.

The statement added that 14 cattle had perished, while 24 houses, a shop, and two cattle sheds were completely destroyed. Another 204 houses sustained partial damage. One mosque was razed and nine others were partially damaged. Four educational institutions, three health facilities, and an electricity office also suffered partial damage. Around eight vehicles and motorcycles were either partially or completely damaged.

Tariq Naqash  

AJK govt sets up emergency response centres as 11 die amid Indian aggression

A view of smouldering Bilal Mosque/TN

In response to Indian missile strikes and intense shelling that killed at least 11 civilians and wounded several others across three districts along the Line of Control (LoC), the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Wednesday established a Central Emergency Response Centre to coordinate rescue, relief, and damage assessment efforts round the clock.

Officials in Muzaffarabad, Haveli, Poonch, and Kotli provided preliminary details of the devastation, noting that a precise evaluation of property losses was still underway. As part of the emergency measures, all educational institutions across the region were ordered closed until further notice.

In Muzaffarabad’s Shawai area, a mosque struck by missiles—killing three people, including its 80-year-old caretaker—remained the focus of high-profile visits throughout the day. Among the visitors were members of the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), who were briefed by military officials on the unprovoked Indian attack.

Technical teams combed the smouldering structure for unexploded devices and evidence that might aid ongoing investigations.

Residents near the mosque shared harrowing accounts of the attack.

Safeer Awan speaking to media/photo TN

“At first, we had no idea what was happening. My daughter and I had just stepped into the veranda when she was struck by shrapnel. We immediately ran for cover,” said Safeer Awan, a lawyer whose house is located just metres from the mosque.

Refuting Indian claims of militant presence in the area, he added, “If there had been any terrorists around this mosque, would a school be operating right next to it? This is nothing but baseless propaganda by the Modi regime.”

Muhammad Ali, 26, a shoe store employee living about 200 metres from the mosque, said: “I was scrolling on my phone when the lights suddenly went out. Then came a deafening explosion. At first, we thought a transformer had blown, but then a series of blasts followed. It was terrifying.”

After a lull in attacks, he and his friends fled the area on a motorbike without headlights and spent the night in his village.

A man shows broken window panes/TN

“When we returned at dawn, the police and army had cordoned off the area,” he added.

Bilal Nasrullah, 21, a worker at a nearby dairy farm, recalled: “The missiles lit up the night sky one after another. People were running for their lives. We hid under a cluster of dense trees until the shelling stopped. My family, who live nearby, were also shaken.”

Muzaffarabad Deputy Commissioner Mudasser Farooq said many residents had been evacuated from Shawai overnight and returned home by the afternoon.

“If any new threat emerges, we are ready to respond,” he said. 

He identified the deceased mosque caretaker as Yaqoob from Nagdar village in Neelum Valley, who was buried near Bilal Mosque after funeral prayers at AJK University’s Chehla campus. The other victims—Waqas Nasim from Abbaspur and Hassan from Rawalakot—were buried in their respective hometowns following funeral prayers in Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot.

In Kotli, missiles struck Masjid-e-Abbas in the densely populated Roli neighbourhood, but no casualties were reported as the mosque was unoccupied at the time. However, a missile hit a nearby three-storey house, killing 19-year-old Misbah Kausar and her 12-year-old brother Umar on the second floor. On the first floor, 35-year-old Nusrat Parveen and her 12-year-old son Muhammad were injured, according to Kotli Deputy Commissioner Nasir Rafique.

Deaths at LoC

Apart from the losses from missile strikes, several other fatalities and injuries were caused by intense and indiscriminate shelling along the LoC, officials said.

In Forward Kahuta, the district headquarters of Haveli, mortar shells struck two semi-detached houses, killing Muhammad Amin Butt and Raj Muhammad. The former’s wife Hafiza, daughter Shabnam, sister-in-law Razia Nazir, and niece Kiran were injured. In Keirni village, another resident, Fakharuddin, sustained critical injuries.

In Poonch district, Maqsood Sakhi, 45, and Ishtiaq Zameer, 35, were killed in Kharanj and Ghambir Bala villages of Hajira subdivision. A 7-year-old boy, Irtiza Abbas, son of an army officer posted in Poonch, was also martyred in the same subdivision.

Apart from that, six others, including a woman and a young boy, were injured in Hajira and neighbouring Abbaspur.

In the Khuiratta area of Kotli, 26-year-old Sidra Qamar was killed by shelling while sweeping the veranda of her home in Ghora Sial village. The house was left riddled with holes.

In Panjkot area of Muzaffarabad, a man and a woman were injured in separate incidents of shelling.

DC Farooq also informed that the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP) had suffered damage to its hydraulic power unit (HPU), forcing the closure of a gate. An ambulance belonging to the project was also hit.

On Wednesday, all educational institutions remained closed, while markets were open but subdued.

A view of CMH Road on Wednesday/TN

Despite an invisible fear, many residents remained defiant.

“We are Muslims—we believe our time of death is written,” said Adil Hameed, an electronics dealer in Madina Market. “So why live in fear?”

Late in the afternoon, the government ordered that all educational institutions—both public and private—would remain closed until further orders.

Emergency Response Centre

 

A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq decided to establish the Central Emergency Response Centre, which will operate 24/7 with divisional commissioners, DIGs, DCs, and SSPs as members. The centre was tasked to report directly to the prime minister on evolving threats. 

The meeting also approved the establishment of Emergency Health and Information Response Centres to work in full coordination with the central unit. 

Prime Minister Haq instructed authorities to ensure immediate medical assistance for the injured and full support to the families of the deceased. 

He also ordered the availability of essential supplies and directed officials to resolve staff and medicine shortages in health facilities within 24 hours. 

The Central Response Centre was also assigned to collect data on livestock and property losses and initiate concrete relief and rehabilitation measures.

Ends 

On the frontlines of tension, life carries on unfazed

Life along the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) shows little visible change, even as tensions rise between India and Pakistan amid fears of armed conflict.

In Chakothi Bazaar, just 58 kilometres from Muzaffarabad and directly overlooked by Indian military posts across the LoC, shopkeeper Shabbir Abbasi, 58, opens his grocery store each morning as he has always done — even after April 22, when around 26 tourists were reportedly gunned down in Pahalgam in Indian-occupied Kashmir, igniting yet another round of diplomatic and military escalations.

Not surprisingly, India blamed Pakistani militants for the attack without offering any evidence — a charge that Pakistan categorically denied, calling instead for an impartial international investigation. The fallout was swift: diplomatic staff were expelled, visa services suspended, and airspace closed by both sides.

Late Tuesday night, Pakistan’s federal information minister warned that India could launch a military strike within 24 to 36 hours based on “baseless and concocted” allegations related to the Pahalgam incident.

Yet, while concern rises in urban centres, border communities like Chakothi are largely unflappable.

This is in sharp contrast to the past, when fear would grip border residents at the slightest sign of escalation. Stress, anxiety, and prayers for peace would dominate their lives — a far cry from the calm, almost defiant, 'who cares' attitude prevailing today.

“This isn’t new for us,” says Abbasi. “We’ve lived through decades of unprovoked Indian aggression. We have buried our dead and rebuilt our homes. We’re not running anywhere.”

Prior to November 2003, when Indian and Pakistani troops signed a landmark ceasefire agreement, most areas along the heavily militarised LoC — Chakothi among them — witnessed frequent deaths and destruction from shelling exchanges.

In one fierce episode of shelling in 2000, Abbasi lost his wife while she was busy with household chores. 

“I’ve seen the worst. We’ve passed the stage of fear. If there’s another attack, they’ll have to cross our dead bodies first.”

Asim Bashir, a teacher at Captain Sarwar Shaheed Boys High School in Chakothi — where children were once killed and injured by Indian shelling — also highlights the stoicism among locals.

 “People are not scared. In fact, they’re relaxed,” he notes.

Since Thursday night, shelling has been reported mainly in the nearby Leepa Valley. Still, academic activities have continued uninterrupted. Government and private schools remain open, with both students and teachers in regular attendance.

On Wednesday, Chakothi’s high school held an event to honour martyrs of the Pakistan Army and the Kashmir freedom movement — with full participation.

“To be honest, nobody is afraid,” Bashir says. “But when you are dealing with a country that can kill its own citizens for political mileage, you must take precautions. Some residents have dusted off old bunkers, but otherwise, life is absolutely normal. Shops and schools are open.”

Similar calm prevails in Kotli district. In several villages of tehsil Khuiratta which have faced extensive shelling in past flare-ups, life continues as usual.

“There is neither panic nor anxiety. People are going about their day. Morale is high. Most say that if war is imposed, they will resist with courage,” says Revenue Department official Anwar Shaheen.

In Lanjot village, social activist Shaukat Awan shares a similar perspective.

“Cricket matches and wedding celebrations continue even after the Pahalgam attack,” he says.

Lanjot is the same village where, in February 2000, 14 civilians were killed overnight in a massacre blamed on Indian commandos.

Poonch district paints the same picture. 

Although on Wednesday some scheduled banks asked branches near the LoC to move ATM cash to head offices, only a small fraction of people felt alarmed, according to Mandhol resident Najeeb Sardar.

“Some elderly people seem uneasy due to Indian media’s war hysteria, but most remain steadfast,” he remarks. “Residents here have grown up amid the roar of guns. They’ve never deserted their land — and won’t now.”

Even more surprising is the atmosphere in Neelum Valley, a popular tourist destination northeast of Muzaffarabad, which has seen investment of millions of rupees in tourism and hospitality after the 2003 ceasefire.

Most parts of the valley lie exposed to Indian artillery, and some remain vulnerable even to small arms fire from across the divide.

“Until Tuesday, tourist arrivals hadn’t slowed,” says Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Ahmed Janjua. “But after the federal minister’s late-night warning, about 70 percent have left. The rest are still here.”

Keran is one of the most visited spots in the valley, where guesthouses dot the main artery, some along the roaring Neelum River that serves as LoC here.

Of late, the Indian army has also developed their side of Keran into a tourist site, facilitating visits by Indian citizens.

“Previously, people would wave across the river. Now, after the Pahalgam incident, Indian tourists are barred from visiting, and their side looks deserted,” Janjua notes.

“There is no sign of gloom or fear on people’s faces here. Life continues as normal. People are farming, tending livestock, running shops, and attending schools. Sports are ongoing too,” he adds.

Federal Minister for Kashmir affairs Amir Muqam also arrived in Keran on Tuesday and stayed there overnight.

On Wednesday, he spent more than hour in Keran where a volleyball tournament continued as per schedule. The minister then headed to Sharda, where he addressed a rally, attended by a large number of PML-N workers.

By and large, the people of the valley — like others along the LoC — also remain unfazed. 

Shahnaz Abdullah, a health worker from Katha Chogalli village, summed up the prevailing sentiment.

“We have long borne the brunt of India’s jingoism. We are ready to face any situation — to kill and to be killed.”

Tariq Naqash

'Safe Tourism' app introduced in AJK's Neelum Valley

In a bid to promote safe tourism and ensure the safety of visitors, the administration in the breathtaking Neelum Valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has launched an internet application alongside policy guidelines for the tourism sector.

    The app, developed in collaboration with the AJK Information Technology (IT) Board, aims to keep the administration updated on tourist accommodations, contact details, and itineraries, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Neelum, Nadeem Ahmed Janjua, told this scribe on Thursday.

    Last year, the valley, which boasts a 150-kilometre main road stretching from Nauseri to the scenic village of Taobutt along the Neelum River, welcomed over 550,000 tourists from across the country, Mr Janjua shared.

    "With 40 link roads and 8–10 fair-weather roads connecting the valley’s population of 220,000 to their homes, accessibility is both a challenge and a blessing," he added.

    Highlighting safety concerns, Mr Janjua pointed out that the valley, like other high-altitude regions, was prone to natural disasters such as cloudburst-induced floods, avalanches, and landslides. 

    These hazards, combined with the challenging mountainous terrain, often led to fatal accidents, particularly among tourists unfamiliar with local road conditions, he said.

    Additionally, he pointed out that incidents like selfie-related falls and tragedies caused by negligence, such as leaving gas or coal heaters running, had underscored the need for stricter safety protocols. 

    "In such unfortunate situations, it becomes difficult for the administration to contact the victims' families promptly, which is why the app is a game-changer for us," he asserted.

    Mr Janjua informed that earlier in the day, a meeting with representatives of the local Guesthouse and Hotel Association had been convened to brief them on the app's utility and operational requirements.

    “It was decided that comprehensive data of tourists staying in the valley would be recorded through the app. In areas where internet access is unavailable, this information will be communicated via phone to the local police station, which will transfer it to a pro forma and ensure its submission to the Superintendent of Police's office by 1 pm daily,” he said.

    The DC also elaborated on the safety measures mandated by the administration. 

    He said the newly inaugurated rest houses, guesthouses, and hotels were required to install fire extinguishers and emergency exits.

    “Management is also directed to discourage guests from approaching dangerous water channels and to prominently display advisory notices and emergency contact numbers in every room.”

    For tourists venturing to high-altitude destinations such as Ratti Gali, Patlian, and Baboon, only well-maintained vehicles operated by licensed drivers would be allowed, he said, adding that registered tour operators had been instructed to comply with this requirement without exception.

    Moreover, hotel management must ensure that gas or coal heaters were switched off by 11pm to prevent accidents caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, he said. 

    Mr Janjua vowed that the administration would ensure 100% implementation of these guidelines and warned that strict legal action would be taken against violators. 

    “The safety of tourists and the preservation of Neelum Valley's reputation as a safe destination are our utmost priorities,” he said.

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AJK PM orders high alert as pregnant woman’s death sparks outcry in snowbound Neelum

People gather to offer the funeral prayers of a pregnant
 woman in Taobutt Bala village of Neelum valley on Sunday. 

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq on Sunday directed the administration to remain on high alert amid harsh winter conditions in upper Neelum Valley, following the tragic death of a pregnant woman blamed on limited healthcare access.  

According to an official press release, in light of the prime minister's directives, divisional commissioner Masoodur Rehman had urgently departed for the valley along with senior officers from various divisional departments.

Reports from Neelum valley said a 21-year-old woman from Taobutt Bala, the valley’s last village, died Saturday night while being carried on foot to the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital in Kel. 

Her family blamed the death on blocked roads and inadequate health facilities.  

Kel is 156 kilometers from Muzaffarabad, with Taobutt another 45 kilometers ahead. The area, known as Gurez sub-valley, is frequently cut off in winter due to heavy snowfall.  

Local journalist Hayat Awan told this scribe that the woman’s relatives and neighbours protested by placing her body on the snow, accusing the government of negligence. 

Videos circulating online showed a local bearded leader addressing mourners, saying, “The state’s negligence pushed this woman to her death.” 

He maintained that the snowfall this year was not severe enough to justify the failure to keep roads open.  

However, when contacted by this scribe, Deputy Commissioner Nadeem Ahmed Janjua clarified that temperatures had plummeted to -15°C, causing parts of the Neelum River to freeze and making road clearance exceptionally difficult.  

“Continuous snowfall and frost make the main artery and link roads impassable. Even heavy machinery struggles in these conditions,” he said, sharing a video of a snowplow stuck on an icy road.  

Mr Janjua said road crews had managed to clear the route up to Kareemabad, just 4 kilometres from Taobutt, “marking a first in the valley’s history in such extreme weather.” 

However, he noted that overnight frost often turned cleared roads into slippery, glass-like surfaces.  

He dismissed claims of inadequate healthcare, stating that upper Neelum had several health facilities, including a THQ Hospital equipped with specialist doctors, gynaecologists, and medicines. Additionally, the Pakistan Army also operated health facilities in the area.  

He said the administration had pre-stocked six months’ worth of flour and seven months’ worth of medicines in anticipation of winter. Despite severe weather, telecommunications and health centres remained operational, and private traders had stocked essential items for the season.  

He said the prime minister was personally taking feedback about the progress with regard to his directives. 

Mr Janjua
urged critics to acknowledge efforts alongside raising concerns, keeping in view the challenges posed by the region’s extreme climate.

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Public urged to avoid food items cooked in waste oil

The Food Authority of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has discarded over 450 litres of waste cooking oil (WCO) and imposed fines amounting to Rs 195,500 on unscrupulous vendors over the past three days, an official said on Thursday.

    Waste cooking oil, also referred to as used cooking oil (UCO), is edible oil that has been repeatedly heated for cooking or frying, rendering it unsuitable for consumption due to degradation and potential health risks.

    Abdul Hameed Kiani, Director of the AJK Food Department and ex-officio Secretary of the AJK Food Authority, said in a press release that the oil used in the preparation of fried items across various districts was tested using recently acquired Oil Testometres.

    He urged the public to avoid food cooked in substandard or repeatedly heated oil, because of the constant warnings by health experts that such oil was a leading cause of heart and liver diseases.

    “There is an urgent need for the public to adopt the principle of ‘prevention is better than cure’ by refraining from consuming unhealthy and dubious food items,” he said.

    Mr Kiani said that food safety officers had been directed to conduct regular testing of key food items, particularly milk, oil, and spices. 

"In cases where items are found harmful to health, strict actions must be taken without discrimination. This includes discarding such items and imposing penalties or initiating legal action against the traders and vendors involved," he added.

    He informed that the government had provided state-of-the-art tools, such as Digital Refractometers, PH Meters, Arsenic Kits, Milk Analysers, TDS Meters, Oil Testometres, and Food Adulteration Kits at the mobile food testing laboratories at three divisional headquarters, which were raised in compliance with directives from the AJK Supreme Court. 

     “Our teams are regularly using these advanced tools to inspect hotels, banquet halls, milk shops, filtration plants, and other establishments across all districts to ensure compliance with food safety regulations,” Mr Kiani said.

    He asserted that the Food Authority’s intensified efforts to safeguard public health by curbing the sale and use of harmful food products across the region had started making their mark. 

    “The strict actions taken, including the dumping of substandard items and the imposition of hefty fines, have instilled a sense of accountability and deterrence among those who previously engaged in the trade of counterfeit and harmful food items with impunity,” he said.

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India warned against LoC crossing by AJK people

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, on Thursday warned India that if human rights violations and state terrorism in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoJK) did not cease, people from his side might be compelled to cross the Line of Control (LoC).

"The whole world knows that the movement in occupied Jammu and Kashmir is for the right to self-determination and will continue until it reaches its logical conclusion," he said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 3.2-megawatt Cham Fall Hydropower Station in Jhelum Valley district, near the LoC.

He maintained that AJK was not just about its population or geographical area but served as the base camp for the Kashmir freedom movement, which defined its very purpose. 

Continuing, he said, unlike IoJK, where puppet chief ministers were installed, AJK was governed by representatives chosen by its people. 

"The governance system in Azad Kashmir owes its existence to the sacrifices of the mothers and sisters in occupied Kashmir."

"In Azad Kashmir, we enjoy civil liberties and facilities, which are possible because the people of Pakistan have shared their resources, sometimes at great personal cost, with their brothers in the liberated territory," he added.  

He invited international observers to visit AJK and challenged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the same for IoJK. 

"Let the world see the stark difference between the liberated and occupied parts of Jammu and Kashmir," he remarked.  

Expressing gratitude to Pakistan's political leadership and armed forces for supporting the Kashmiri people for more than seven decades, he regretted that “some blind to reason could not differentiate between protector forces and occupying forces." 

The AJK premier also criticized the Indian army chief and India’s defence minister for making derogatory remarks about him, calling it a clear sign of their frustration. 

On the development front, he announced that Jhelum Valley district would become self-sufficient in electricity by June, a highly encouraging milestone. 

However, he cautioned that if electricity bills were not paid on time, the Power Development Organization (PDO) would face setbacks.  

"Affordable electricity is the biggest source of employment. When the electricity needs are met, it will boost cottage industries and promote tourism in the region," he said.  

He also announced the allocation of Rs 200 million required for the timely commissioning of the nearbyNardajjian power project.  

Reiterating his government’s priorities, he vowed that the Kashmir freedom struggle and the development of AJK were at the top of his agenda.  

Without naming anyone, he took aim at certain "political showmen," and remarked that "small-time players” with their petty tricks could not halt the journey of development.  

He asserted that since assuming office, he had not indulged in clan-based favouritism or regional bias, unlike the past, where the entire budget of AJK was spent on a single constituency. 

"Now that mafias are being reined in, their screams are loud. But remember, everyone will have to go through the accountability process," he warned.  

The AJK premier also announced a one-month bonus salary for all workers involved in the PDO project.

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PML-N suspends five cabinet members from party positions in AJK

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday suspended five members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly, currently serving ministerial roles in the coalition government, from their party positions over disciplinary violations. 

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of regional office-bearers and ticket holders, chaired by PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir.

The PML-N holds eight seats in the AJK Assembly, with four members elected from constituencies in AJK, three from refugee constituencies in Pakistan, and one female member nominated on a reserved seat. 

Among them, the regional president Qadir, former premier Raja Farooq Haider, and Chaudhry Ismail are not part of the government. Of the remaining five members, four are ministers and one advisor with ministerial status.

Party workers have long voiced concerns over the PML-N’s participation in the coalition government, fearing it could negatively impact their electoral prospects. 

This sentiment has fueled persistent calls for withdrawing from the coalition, with Mr Haider leading the charge and Mr Qadir also expressing similar reservations.

However, ministers Waqar Ahmed Noor, Sardar Aamir Altaf, Raja Muhammad Siddique, Ahmad Raza Qadri, and advisor Nisara Abbasi have resisted such calls. 

Recently, they wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, requesting his intervention to allow them to continue their roles in the cabinet. They alleged that internal rifts within the party, rather than their cabinet positions, were the primary cause of the party’s struggles.

The letter, notably not addressed or copied to party supremo Nawaz Sharif, drew sharp criticism from workers on social media. 

All five cabinet members avoided Wednesday’s meeting. However, Mr Ismail, who had also signed the letter to PM Sharif, was in attendance and offered an emotional apology, which was accepted.

The meeting involved extensive discussions on various issues, including the potential withdrawal from the coalition government. 

During the meeting, Mr Qadir and Mr Haider publicly disassociated themselves from the government as members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). They also criticized the controversial contents of the letter sent to PM Sharif and the absence of the ministers from the meeting, deeming it a violation of party discipline.

Following the deliberations, Mr Qadri was suspended from his positions as vice president and member of the central working committee. Mr Noor, Mr Altaf, Mr Siddique, and Ms Abbasi were also removed from the central working committee. 

Exercising his authority, Mr Qadir approved the formation of a five-member disciplinary committee and decided to issue show-cause notices to the ministers within seven days.

Meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif

Earlier in the day, the six signatories of the letter and Mr Qadir, Mr Haider, Mr Farooq, and Mr Minhas attended a 30-minute meeting on party affairs with Prime Minister Sharif at his office. 

According to a participant, the prime minister listened to both sides and said that, since this was a party matter, he would consult the relevant leadership and convene another meeting within ten days to announce a decision.

Mr Qadir shared the details of this meeting with attendees at the subsequent party gathering.

 “We informed the prime minister about the poor performance of the coalition government, injustices toward PML-N workers, and the deteriorating state of law and order and ideological direction in AJK,” he said. 

“The PML-N cannot continue to bear the burden of the coalition’s failures.”

In his address, Mr Haider dismissed rumors of division within the party and affirmed his support for Mr Qadir. 

“Workers should mobilize in their constituencies to strengthen the party. The PML-N will contest the next elections with full force,” he declared.

Mr Farooq encouraged party members to stay hopeful and maintain close contact with the leadership. 

“We will resume the journey of development and rectify the ideological damage caused during this tenure,” he asserted.

Tariq Naqash 

Parking and traffic issues in Muzaffarabad’s historic commercial hub addressed

In a bid to resolve the persistent parking and traffic woes in Madina Market, the busiest and historic commercial hub of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) capital, civic authorities have banned the entry of vehicles into the market and established a parking lot on the vacant land that once housed a Radio Colony.

    Additionally, several measures are also being taken to facilitate shoppers and residents, including the removal of encroachments and the establishment of public restrooms in shopping plazas, said Masoodur Rehman, divisional commissioner of Muzaffarabad.  

Speaking to journalists in his office on Tuesday, he said that inadequate parking facilities and severe traffic congestion, particularly in the old part of the capital, had long been a major concern for residents.

In keeping with the situation, Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq had issued strict directives to urgently address these issues and implement additional measures to enhance the sprawling town’s overall appearance, he added. 

  

The commissioner said the Radio Colony site, left unused after its residential quarters were razed in the 2005 earthquake, had now been repurposed into a parking lot with the support and cooperation of the management of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC).

 

“We are grateful to the PBC officials for their commendable role in resolving this major issue in the city,” he said.   

Mr Rehman said a shuttle service had also been planned, operating between CMH Road and Hamam Wali Masjid, to assist shoppers navigating the sprawling market, which had expanded from a few shops in one street to multiple adjacent streets, housing hundreds of shops offering diverse goods, including Kashmiri art and crafts.  

For permanent residents of the market’s neighbourhood, vehicle entry would be permitted on a scheduled basis, he said. 

“All permanent residents will be issued passes, and only those with valid passes will be allowed to bring their vehicles inside,” the commissioner said.  

To address the widespread encroachments in Madina Market and other neighbourhoods, notices had been issued to traders, directing them to voluntarily remove unauthorised structures by a specified deadline. 

“After the deadline, a phased operation against encroachments will be launched across the city,” he warned.  

“No one will be allowed to extend platforms or awnings beyond their shop shutters,” he added.  

The commissioner further informed that parking on both sides of CMH Road had also been strictly prohibited to alleviate the severe traffic jams. 

“Illegally parked vehicles will not only be removed by tow trucks but cases will also be registered against violators,” he declared. 

He said that plaza owners in Madina Market and other parts of the city had been instructed to ensure compliance with approved building plans by providing parking spaces and public restrooms within their premises. 

“Failure to comply will result in strict action, including the sealing of non-compliant buildings, without exception,” he added. 

The commissioner urged citizens and traders to cooperate with the administration and municipal institutions to effectively tackle these pressing issues. 

Tariq Naqash