Opposition demands ‘return to talks’ in AJK

AI Summary

Pakistan’s opposition alliance called for renewed talks with protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and criticized authorities for stopping a political delegation near Kahuta. It also urged an inquiry into alleged excessive force, medical care for injured people, due process for detainees, and unrestricted access for political representatives.

ISLAMABAD: Calling for immediate talks with the Joint Awami Action Committee, the main opposition alliance claimed on Monday that a delegation of the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) was stopped from travelling to Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation was travelling to AJK to meet protesters, express solidarity, and assess the situation, but was stopped at Kahuta and not permitted to proceed further, TTAP spokesperson Hussein Ahmed Yousafzai said. There is no justification for stopping a peaceful political delegation from accessing protesters, and the government ought to have provided an explanation for this action, he said. The opposition alliance called for meaningful talks with protesters and sought practical progress on their demands, and sought an impartial inquiry into allegations of the unnecessary use of force. The injured must be provided immediate and best medical facilities, and arrested individuals be granted access to justice in accordance with legal requirements, according to the alliance. It also demanded that political and social representatives, including their delegation, be granted unhindered access to AJK. Assuring that the Kashmiri people were not alone in their struggle, the opposition alliance said that it would raise a voice on every constitutional and legal forum for the protection of their constitutional, democratic, and fundamental human rights. Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2026