ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday accused protesters involved in recent unrest in Azad Kashmir of trying to impose their views through violence instead of democratic means, as authorities continued a crackdown following deadly clashes linked to the region’s upcoming elections.
The comments came a day after a strike shut down several cities and towns across Azad Kashmir. The strike was called by the recently banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which opposes the allocation of 12 seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir and their descendants living in Pakistan.
Tensions have escalated across the region in recent days. At least 11 people were killed on Sunday during clashes between protesters and security forces in Rawalakot.
The violence prompted authorities to launch a broad security operation, announce rewards for the arrest of protest leaders and register sedition cases against several JAAC members.
“With elections approaching, taking political issues to the people is the essence of democracy,” Asif wrote on X.
He said those seeking to impose their views through violence rather than public support had “ulterior motives.”
The defense minister argued that the unrest demonstrated a refusal by some groups to pursue their objectives through the electoral process.
اسوقت جب انتخابات قریب ھیں اختلافی مسائل کو عوام کی عدالت میں لے جانا عین جمہوری سوچ ھے۔ جو لوگ عوامی راۓ کی بجائے قتل و غارت کے ذریعے اپنی رائے و سوچ مسلط کرنا چاہتے ھیں انکے مقاصد کچھ اور ھیں ۔ جسطرح پولیس اور سیکورٹی کے عملے کو شہید کیا گیا اور لاشوں کی بے حرمتی کی گئی۔ اس سے…
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) June 9, 2026
“If anyone seeks to impose an extra-constitutional and anti-state agenda through violence and armed groups, the state will enforce the law with full force,” Asif said. He added that the Kashmiri people must be allowed to express their views freely through democratic means.
The JAAC launched the strike in protest against the reserved seats, arguing that the arrangement gives Pakistan-based political parties undue influence over government formation in the territory.
Elections for the AJK Legislative Assembly are scheduled for July 27.
The regional government declared the JAAC a banned organization on Friday under anti-terrorism laws.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International criticised what it described as a “violent and sweeping crackdown” on protesters. The rights group cited reports of internet restrictions, arrests and the use of force against demonstrators.
Also Read: Nexus Among Fitna al-Khawarij, India and Banned Awami Action Committee Exposed
Authorities, however, have accused JAAC supporters of attacking security personnel and damaging public property during Sunday’s unrest. Officials say the ongoing measures are necessary to restore law and order ahead of the elections.
