PTI seeks judicial inquiry into Rawalakot violence, rejects AJK polls

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Wednesday rejected the recent elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), calling the electoral process "a fraud", and condemned the violence in the region, which it said was sending the wrong message internationally and harming the Kashmir cause. Reports of multiple deaths and injuries have emerged on social media since Monday in Rawalakot, Mirpur and other areas. Several videos circulating online showed scenes of unrest, with claims of violence and casualties, though the details could not be independently verified.

Both security forces and the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) claimed the loss of lives on both sides. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and opposition parties had on Tuesday called for an impartial and independent investigation into the reports of deaths and injuries. Addressing a press conference alongside PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan today, former AJK prime minister Sardar Qayyum Niazi said Kashmiris were being subjected to unprecedented oppression and brutality.

“Kashmiris are being crushed in a manner for which there is no precedent. These are the same Kashmiris who passed the resolution in favour of accession to Pakistan on July 19, 1947, even before Pakistan came into existence,” he said. Read: AJK police say JAAC working under 'specific agenda', accuse protesters of using automatic weapons He said the protesters had made every effort to reach an agreement, but when they realised that their demands were no longer being heard, they announced a protest for June 9.

“They are peaceful people and remain peaceful even today. Tell me, was any member of our forces killed by gunfire or struck with a baton there? These people are taking bullets, yet they continue to stand peacefully,” he said.

Questioning the decision to hold the elections in three phases, Niazi said AJK had a population of only 3.5-4 million. آزادکشمیر کے حالات اتنے سنگین ہوچکے ہیں کہ اس پر گفتگو کرنا کسی کے بس میں نہیں ہے، دل اس وقت خون کے آنسو بہا رہا ہے ۔ کشمیر دوقومی نظریے پر وجود میں آیا یہ تحریک پاکستان بننے سے پہلے کشمیریوں نے شروع کی جو 13 جولائی 1931 میں جس کو ہم یوم شہدائے کشمیر کا نام دیتے ہیں۔ سری نگر… pic.twitter.com/dFTSiA8jyl — PTI (@PTIofficial) July 29, 2026 “Pakistan has a population of 250 million and holds elections in a single phase. What is the need for three phases here?