MUZAFFARABAD – Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has ordered immediate and decisive action following the alleged attack on AJK President Chaudh Latif Akbar. The premier has directed the Chief Secretary and the Inspector General of Police to ensure the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
In a strongly worded directive, Rathore expressed deep dissatisfaction with the security protocols in place, describing them as inadequate for a constitutional figurehead. The incident has rapidly escalated political tensions in the region, with the premier directly accusing activists linked to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz of orchestrating the assault.
Political Fallout and Condemnation
The alleged attack has drawn sharp condemnation from senior leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Nayyar Bukhari, Secretary General of the PPP Parliamentarians, characterized the event as a direct assault on a constitutional office of the state, rather than a mere political scuffle.
Bukhari asserted that the incident exposes a climate of desperation among political opponents in the Muzaffarabad Division. He demanded the immediate arrest of the perpetrators, emphasizing that the PPP would not yield to intimidation or coercive tactics. “This is an attack on the sanctity of the state,” Bukhari stated, calling for the full force of the law to be applied.
Electoral Tensions and Security Concerns
Beyond the immediate security breach, PPP leadership has raised alarm over the broader electoral environment. Bukhari alleged that systematic obstacles are being created to block voters from accessing polling stations in Muzaffarabad. He placed the onus on the Election Commission to guarantee that citizens can exercise their franchise without fear of violence or suppression.
The PPP official further revealed that the party had already lodged dozens of formal complaints with the Azad Kashmir Election Commission, flagging irregularities in the ongoing electoral process. The convergence of a violent attack on the president and claims of voter suppression marks a critical flashpoint in the region’s political landscape.
