Muzaffarabad (Web Desk): In Azad Kashmir, the strike against the increase in electricity bills and inflation entered its fourth day on the call of the Awami Action Committee (AAC) on Monday.
A long march led by the AAC left for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) capital, Muzaffarabad, as the wheel-jam strike against inflated electricity bills and taxes entered its fourth day.
Internet, mobile phone service and educational activities are suspended in several cities, while business centers and public transport are completely closed.
The protestors have already staged sit-ins, closing Kohala–Muzaffarabad Road at several locations.
The government of AJK called in the Rangers and AJK police after clashes between the police and protestors erupted in Mirpur during demonstrations that killed a cop and injured more than 70 others.
On the other hand, the talks between the AJK government and the AAC failed on Sunday.
Senior AAC leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri has announced to continue the march, while Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri termed the ongoing negotiations as lies and fraud saying that the government refused to accept any other demand except flour subsidy. He urged that all convoys should now march towards Muzaffarabad.
Apart from this, the funeral prayer of sub-inspector Adnan Qureshi, who was killed in the clash in Mirpur, was performed, in which hundreds of people participated.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation in AJK urging all parties to adopt a peaceful course of action to resolve their demands.
The prime minister emphasized that while debate, discussion, and peaceful protests were beauties of democracy, there was no tolerance for taking the law into one’s own hands and damaging government properties.
“Unfortunately, in situations of chaos and dissent, there are always some, who rush in to score political points,” the premier wrote on his X timeline.
He also spoke to AJK PM and directed all Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) office bearers in the region to engage with the leaders of the action committee to find a peaceful resolution.
“Despite the efforts of detractors, the matter is expected to be settled soon,” PM Shehbaz said.