Leopard mauls minor girl to death in AJK's border villag

File photo

A leopard mauled to death an eight-year-old girl after straying into a residential area of a border village in Jhelum Valley district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday, spreading fear and panic among local residents, police said.

    The tragic incident occurred at about 5pm in Nalai Dabran, a village situated in Pandu sector near the Line of Control (LoC), some 15 kilometres from the town of Chinari and 65 kilometres from Muzaffarabad.

    According to Raja Abdul Waheed, an official at the Chinari police station, the victim, Javeria — a second-grade student and daughter of Ghulam Mustafa Awan — was playing in the courtyard of her home when the predator suddenly attacked and dragged her away.

    Alarmed by her disappearance, family members and neighbours launched a frantic search and combed nearby fields and wooded areas for over three hours. Eventually, they found her lifeless body in dense shrubs about half a kilometre away.

    "The leopard had reportedly bitten her neck, drained her blood and then left the body in the bushes before fleeing towards the forest," the official said.

    Notably, a local journalist, Raja Saddam Hussain, had raised the alarm about the predator’s presence in the area two days earlier. 

    “On July 24, I reported that a leopard had made its way into Bagh Mohalla of Garthama and attacked a child, who narrowly survived,” he said. 

    “We warned of potential danger and urged the authorities to act, but unfortunately, no preventive measures were taken,” he said.

    The tragic death has once again brought attention to the increasing human-wildlife conflict in AJK’s forested regions. Environmental degradation, deforestation, and expansion of human settlements have pushed wild animals, particularly leopards, closer to inhabited areas, often with deadly consequences.

    Attempts to reach officials from the AJK Wildlife and Fisheries Department for comment remained unsuccessful until the filing of this report.

    The incident has left the residents of Nalai terrified, with many families confining themselves indoors out of fear of another possible attack.

    Funeral prayers for the young girl will be offered in Nalai Dabran at 11am on Sunday.

    Tariq Naqash

India’s August 5 move illegal, AJK must reclaim its constitutional role: Dr Nazir Gilani

Dr Syed Nazir Gilani gestures at his presser

Renowned Kashmiri jurist and rights advocate Dr Syed Nazir Gilani has said that India’s unilateral revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on August 5, 2019, was not only unconstitutional but also a grave violation of international law, bilateral commitments, and United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad on Saturday, Dr Gilani, who heads the London-based Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR), said the nature of Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India on October 27, 1947, changed just 81 days later when India took the matter to the UNSC on January 15, 1948, and accepted a plebiscite under UN supervision. 

“India had no legal or moral authority to unilaterally decide the future of the disputed territory,” he stressed.

He cited UNSC Resolution 91 of 1951, which not only reaffirmed the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir but also cautioned the government of the occupied territory against taking any steps contrary to the framework laid down by the UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP).

 “India’s claim of constitutional finality over Jammu and Kashmir stands nullified by binding international commitments. No domestic court can override these legal instruments,” Dr Gilani added, criticising the Indian judiciary for treating Kashmir purely as an internal matter.

He revealed that JKCHR had made a formal submission on this issue to the UN Secretary-General, which was subsequently published as a UN General Assembly document on June 9, 2021, further strengthening the legal case against India's actions.

Institutional inaction enabled India’s move

Dr Gilani strongly criticised the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) for failing to establish an institutional framework for a plebiscite, as envisaged in the Karachi Agreement, the AJK interim constitutions of 1970 and 1974, and the AJK High Court’s 1999 judgment on a JKCHR petition.

 “India did not act in a vacuum. It took advantage of the permissive silence and institutional inaction of the AJK government,” he said. 

“Had the 1999 High Court verdict been implemented, and a plebiscite mechanism established in line with UN resolutions, the global perception of the Kashmir dispute would have been vastly different. This was a historic forfeiture of representation.”

He stressed the need to redefine AJK’s constitutional role, saying it was not a political charity underwritten by Pakistan but a moral and constitutional trustee of a disputed territory.

 “The foremost responsibility of the AJK government is to articulate, defend, and develop the legal and political case of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Pakistan's role and responsibilities

Dr Gilani emphasised that Pakistan, as a principal party to the Kashmir dispute, bore an even greater responsibility to project and safeguard the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. 

He urged Islamabad to take the issue more vigorously to global forums, particularly Geneva and Washington, by introducing new faces and voices into its diplomatic efforts.

 “The current geopolitical landscape and international public opinion are favourable to Pakistan. India’s atrocities in occupied Kashmir have created space for Pakistan to rally Kashmiris' support for accession by responding to their suffering with concrete advocacy,” he noted.

Historical and human rights violations

Dr Gilani pointed out that until April 1959, Indian citizens required a permit to enter occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting its distinct constitutional and political status. He said this status was systematically eroded by India through judicial manipulation and military aggression.

He also criticised India for breaching the original understanding on troop presence. “Indian security forces were to be limited to 21,000 unarmed personnel, aiding civil administration under four bilateral agreements and three clauses of UNSC Resolution 47. Instead, India has deployed over one million heavily armed troops, violating UN resolutions and the original terms of engagement.”

He said thousands of political prisoners, including Syed Shabbir Shah, Yasin Malik, Zafar Akbar Bhat, Naeem Khan, Asiya Andrabi, and dozens of other women, remain in detention—most of them shifted to prisons outside the occupied territory. 

“This is not just a political issue; it’s a humanitarian crisis, and it must be presented as such.”

Dr. Gilani said JKCHR had published five reports on Kashmiri prisoners and two on women from AJK and Pakistan stranded across the Line of Control, and that efforts were ongoing for their release and repatriation.

Water blockade and ‘crime against humanity’

Condemning India’s stoppage of natural water flows from Jammu and Kashmir into Pakistan, Dr Gilani called it a crime against humanity, which must be raised at international environmental and human rights forums.

 “India has no authority under international law to halt the natural flow of rivers originating from a disputed territory. Blocking these waters constitutes water terrorism, and global institutions must take notice,” he said.

Refuting the narrative of “Youm-e-Istehsal”

Dr Gilani also rejected Pakistan’s use of the term “Youm-e-Istehsal” (Day of Exploitation) for August 5, calling it a weak response to what he described as a clear case of Indian aggression.

“This is not mere exploitation—it’s a blatant case of aggression. Pakistan must adopt a legal, strategic, and diplomatic narrative that confronts India’s violations forcefully,” he stressed.

 Tariq Naqash

PPP regional president, son win libel case in UK; defendant to pay £260,000 in damages

Ch Yasin (extreme r) and son (left) with in UK

In a landmark defamation ruling with political reverberations in both the UK and Pakistan, the High Court of England and Wales on Friday ordered a prominent UK-based YouTuber of Kashmiri origin to pay £260,000 in damages to two elected representatives from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) over what the court described as “serious, unfounded and harmful allegations.” 

The trial, heard from July 7 to 9, 2025, resulted in a damning judgment by Mrs Justice Heather Williams DBE, who held Abrar Qureshi liable for libel over two defamatory videos of his popular ‘Gorakh Dhanda’ programme published online on November 1, 2021 via different social media platforms. 

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) regional president and MLA Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin and his son Chaudhry Amar Yasin, an AJK cabinet member, had brought the case in the King’s Bench Division of the High Court, citing severe harm to their political and personal reputations. 

The videos featured Mr Qureshi’s interview with Chaudhry Muhammad Sabeel, a former employee of the elder Yasin, who levelled grave accusations of criminal misconduct, including blackmail, sexual abuse, torture, corruption, and abuse of public office. The court concluded that Mr Qureshi had made no reasonable attempt to verify the allegations before broadcasting them to a large audience. 

In her 62-page ruling, a copy of which was seen by this scribe, Justice Williams noted that Mr Qureshi had abandoned his defences of truth and honest opinion on the first day of trial, leaving him unable to justify the defamatory publications under public interest protections

She found that Mr Qureshi had “fallen well short of the standards expected of a responsible journalist,” particularly given the size and influence of his platform, which includes over 190,000 YouTube subscribers and 700,000 Facebook followers. His failure to present the claimants’ version of events or conduct basic checks, the court held, made the publication grossly irresponsible.

The judge observed that the allegations had caused “serious harm” to the claimants’ personal and professional standing, especially considering their public roles within Pakistan and the Kashmiri diaspora in the UK. The tone of authority, repetition, and lack of challenge in the videos had led many viewers to believe the accusations were true, she added. 

While acknowledging that the claimants may have overstated the extent of reputational harm during parts of their testimony, the court was satisfied that the legal threshold of serious harm had been crossed by a wide margin. 

As a remedy, each claimant was awarded £130,000 in libel damages, including aggravated damages to reflect the distress and reputational damage caused. Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay interest of £21,829 to each claimant and an interim payment of £65,000 towards legal costs by August 8.

In a rare step, the court issued a permanent injunction restraining Mr Qureshi from republishing the defamatory material or anything similar, and directed him to publish a court-approved summary of the judgment across all his relevant social media platforms within seven days, as per Section 12 of the UK Defamation Act 2013.

Legal experts say the ruling underscores the limits of free expression on digital platforms, particularly where reputations are damaged in diaspora politics. It also highlights the strength of UK libel law, even in a cross-jurisdictional and digital media context.

In a statement, Mr Yasin welcomed the judgment as “a vindication of truth and accountability.”

 “This was not a victory by chance, but the result of sincere intentions, perseverance, and faith in justice. We refused to compromise on dignity and self-respect, choosing principle over convenience at every turn,” he said. 

“This verdict is a testament to belief, integrity, and the unwavering resolve to stand for what is right.”

Tariq Naqash

AJK police protests prompt govt to approve hike in allowances

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has approved an increase in the ration and risk allowances for police personnel and incorporated the uniform allowance into their monthly salaries, three cabinet ministers announced on Wednesday.

The decision came in response to rare but peaceful demonstrations by police personnel, who gathered outside the offices of their respective district police chiefs on Monday and Tuesday, demanding improvements in their pay and service conditions under a 10-point charter of demands.

Speaking at a press conference in Muzaffarabad, AJK’s Senior Minister for Home Affairs Waqar Ahmed Noor acknowledged the concerns raised by the police and said the government had taken prompt steps to address many of them. 

He was accompanied by Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan, Law Minister Mian Abdul Waheed, Food Minister Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim, and Information Secretary Sardar Adnan Khurshid.

“Our police force is one of the best law enforcement agencies. Over the past two years, it has shown remarkable professionalism and restraint in dealing with difficult situations, including mass protests, long marches, and acts of terrorism,” Mr Noor said, adding that the force had suffered injuries but never acted with aggression.

He noted that terrorism was a new challenge for AJK, but police personnel had risen to the occasion, even sacrificing their lives to protect civilians.

“Realising their commitment and growing responsibilities, the government allocated Rs 4 billion for the police in the last budget and took several capacity-building measures, including infrastructure development, logistics, and fresh recruitments,” he said.

However, Mr Noor admitted that the existing risk, ration, and uniform allowances had not kept pace with the evolving situation. He said the risk allowance, previously frozen at the 2008 basic pay scale, would now be aligned with the 2015 pay scale.

Regarding uniforms, he said the government had been allocating Rs 110 million annually for this purpose, much of which was consumed by contractors and taxes. “Now, this amount will be paid directly to personnel as part of their monthly salary,” he said. He also confirmed an increase in ration allowance.

When asked about the financial impact of the decision, both the home and finance ministers said calculations were underway.

On the remaining demands of the police, the cabinet has decided to form a committee of senior police officers to provide recommendations. 

“The government will implement these not as a favour, but as a right, given the unique and round-the-clock nature of their duties,” Mr Noor said.

“All issues may not have been resolved, but we are committed to addressing them sincerely.”

Mr Noor also alleged that some elements had tried to exploit the protests but were rejected by the police personnel themselves. “Thankfully, the matter has now been settled, and all personnel are back at their posts.”

Responding to a question, the law minister maintained that the government had not suppressed any public voice through the use of force.

“If a public sentiment is emerging and the government is not crushing it with coercion, it should be seen as a positive sign and appreciated,” he said.

He emphasised that while the state had “one hundred and one ways” to assert its authority, the AJK government had instead demonstrated a high level of tolerance.

“We have endured even the harshest criticism without turning it into an issue of ego,” he remarked, adding that when governments allow ego to take over, it leads to confrontation, destruction, and ultimately a breakdown of the system.

“It is therefore incumbent upon the government to act with tolerance and forbearance, and that is precisely why many matters are now progressing in a constructive direction,” he said.

 

Rain-related preparedness

 

Mr Noor also briefed the media about the government’s preparations in light of the Met Office’s forecast of eight critical weather spells, four of which are still expected.

He said all departments had been put on high alert to respond to potential flash floods. Vulnerable homes along water channels had been identified, and notices issued to occupants to remain ready for evacuation. Educational institutions had been designated as temporary shelters for relocated families.

“If anyone refuses to leave despite imminent danger, the administration will use force to evacuate them until the threat subsides,” he warned.

Mr Noor informed that around Rs 800 million had been placed at the disposal of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) to ensure the availability of emergency supplies, including tents, mattresses, dry rations, and utensils, across all districts. 

Five remote-controlled boats had been procured for rescue operations, and the government was considering the purchase of heavy drones capable of airlifting stranded individuals, he added.

When asked whether any action was planned against officials who allowed illegal construction along water channels, both the home and finance ministers avoided a direct answer, saying the priority at the moment was to save lives.

The cabinet, Mr Noor added, also unanimously paid tribute to the people resisting Indian repression in occupied Kashmir, as well as to the martyrs from the army, police, and those lost to harsh weather. 

Finance Minister Majid Khan interjected to state that the cabinet also reaffirmed its support for the 12 constitutionally protected legislative seats reserved for the Pakistan based refugees from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Tariq Naqash

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