PAC chairman warns against ‘divisive narratives’ in AJK

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly Abdul Majid Khan on Monday condemned what he described as anti-state and divisive narratives being spread in the territory and urged the public to identify those behind such campaigns. 

Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of district and tehsil bodies of the Pathan Welfare Association at a local hotel, Mr Khan said attempts were being made to create divisions between locals and migrants as well as between Kashmiris and Pakistanis in Muzaffarabad, which he said had historically remained a peaceful and harmonious city. 

He also criticised social media users for spreading rumours regarding the alleged entry of terrorists into AJK and Punjab, saying such propaganda weakened Pakistan’s position and provided material to Indian media. 

“The public should decide whose agenda these people are serving,” he said. 

Referring to the role of Pashtuns in the liberation of the region, Mr Khan said the “Pathan nation” had rendered immense sacrifices in 1947. 

“It is because of the bravery of the Pashtuns that we are breathing in free air today,” he said, adding that many people claimed to champion the Kashmir freedom movement, but it was the “courageous Pathans” who had sacrificed their lives and wealth for the liberation of the territory. 

Mr Khan also asserted that the people of AJK were proud to be Pakistanis. 

The ceremony was also addressed by the association’s central president, Ghani-ur-Rehman Khattak, retired Col Abdul Majid Khan, former MLA Gulzar Fatima, former Mansehra nazim Baladar Khan, former administrator District Council Jhelum Valley Fareed Khan, Zahidul Qamar, and some other leaders. 

According to speakers, the association had no political, linguistic or group-specific agenda and had been working since 2001 for brotherhood, national unity and public service. 

They claimed that nearly one million Pashtuns were living in AJK and had played a key role in the development and defence of both Pakistan and AJK. However, they regretted what they termed inadequate representation of Pashtuns in governance and decision-making processes. 

“This state belongs to us too. We liberated it and we will defend it,” Mr Khattak said. 

The speakers also warned India against any “misadventure” towards Pakistan or AJK, claiming that Pashtuns living in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India would respond in the same way “as in 1947”. 

Tributes were also paid to the Pakistan Armed Forces and Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir for what the speakers described as their courageous defence of the country. 

While MLA Khan administered oaths to the newly elected district office-bearers, Ms Fatima and retired Col Khan administered oaths to the tehsil bodies of Muzaffarabad and Naseerabad, respectively. Fareed Khan administered oath to the Pathan Youth Council office-bearers. 

According to organisers, a large number of members of the association’s general council attended the ceremony.

Tariq Naqash