Islamabad: Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has ruled out talks with anti-government protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying those leading the agitation were being treated as enemies of Pakistan.
Speaking in a television interview, Asif said the government would not negotiate with the protesters.
His remarks came after at least 30 protesters were killed and more than 50 injured in firing during demonstrations in PoK, according to reports. The protests were organised by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) against the region’s electoral system.
The protesters are demanding the abolition of 12 refugee seats in the PoK Legislative Assembly, alleging that the arrangement allows political parties based in Islamabad to influence the formation of governments in the region.
Following the violence, Pakistani authorities deployed additional army, paramilitary and armed constabulary personnel across PoK. Restrictions under Section 144 have also been imposed, while internet services have been suspended.
According to JAAC, around 5,000 protesters were marching from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad on Tuesday when security forces allegedly opened fire without provocation.
The Pakistan government has denied the allegation, claiming that the protesters were armed with sophisticated weapons and attacked security personnel first, prompting retaliatory action.
The PoK Legislative Assembly has 53 seats, including 45 directly elected seats and eight reserved seats for women, technocrats and other categories. Of the 45 elected seats, 12 are reserved for refugees who migrated from Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan after 1947 and are currently registered as voters in Pakistan’s Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other provinces.
JAAC has alleged that these refugee seats enable Islamabad to influence electoral outcomes in PoK and has demanded that only residents of the region should have the right to elect the Assembly.
