Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Dr Muhammad Najeeb and Prime Minister Iftikhar Gillani have called for calm, restraint and respect for the law after recent unrest disrupted daily life in the region, urging people to pursue their demands through lawful means.
The two leaders were speaking at a seminar in Muzaffarabad organised by the Sudhan Educational Conference to mark the anniversary of Col Khan Muhammad Khan and Capt Muhammad Hussain Shaheed, figures remembered for their roles in the Kashmir freedom movement and in advancing education in the region.
Prime Minister Gillani warned that provocative language and irresponsible discourse, particularly on social media, were worsening the situation. He said the unrest was keeping children out of school and preventing patients from reaching hospitals, adding that he had received letters from schoolgirls in Poonch reporting that their schools had not reopened.
He described chaos as an unacceptable response to grievances and urged people to seek redress through lawful and peaceful methods.
President Najeeb, who is a grandson of Col Khan Muhammad Khan, said the sacrifices of national heroes should be taught in schools so that younger generations understand the region’s history. He recalled that the foundation of the Azad Government on October 24, 1947, was the result of prolonged struggle and sacrifice.
Both leaders paid tribute to Col Khan Muhammad Khan and Capt Muhammad Hussain Shaheed for their contributions to the freedom movement and to education.
The seminar also highlighted the region’s development record. The AJK leadership said the region has a development budget of Rs32 billion and compares favourably with the provinces on infrastructure, electricity tariff structure and literacy.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq told the seminar that understanding the history and origins of the Kashmiri movement was necessary for forming an informed view of current events. Former AJK president Sardar Masood Khan also addressed the gathering, speaking about the importance of remembering national heroes.
The call for restraint comes after a period of unrest in parts of Azad Kashmir, including protests in Rawalakot and Poonch, which the leaders said had disrupted schooling, healthcare and everyday life.
