3 weeks ago
Shehbaz Sharif's PML-N Calls PoK Protesters 'Patriots' in U-Turn
There is a place called Pakistan-occupied Kashmir that both India and Pakistan say belongs to them.
People there were upset and held protests for more than two months.
They want the government to remove 12 special seats in their local parliament.
The group leading the protests is called the Joint Awami Action Committee.
The government banned this group and used security forces to stop the protests.
Earlier, leaders said the protesters included dangerous fighters called the Taliban.
Now, an adviser to Pakistan's Prime Minister says 99 out of 100 protesters are actually patriotic people.
He says the government will sit with the protesters to solve the problem.
The protesters say many people have been killed, but the government says those numbers are too high.
The United Nations has asked for accountability over how the protests were handled.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), headed by PM Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif, has softened its stance, with adviser Rana Sanaullah calling 99 per cent of PoK protesters 'patriotic'.
Sanaullah said PML-N representatives would soon meet members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the group leading the protests.
The remarks reverse the party's earlier position that Tehrik-e Taliban members were among protesters, a claim used to justify the security crackdown.
The JAAC's main demand is the abolition of 12 contentious refugee seats, which it alleges are manipulated by the establishment to install a prime minister of its choice.
The JAAC alleges more than 40 killed since elections began on July 27 and 400 since June, figures the Pakistan government denies as 'overly exaggerated'; the UN expressed concern on August 7.
- Who
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's PML-N party, PM's adviser Rana Sanaullah, and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
- What
- PML-N changed its position, calling 99 per cent of PoK protesters 'patriotic' and promising to meet JAAC representatives, after months of violent unrest and a crackdown during elections.
- Where
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- When
- The remarks were made on Saturday, ahead of the third phase of elections scheduled for Monday; protests have lasted more than two months and elections began on July 27.
- Why
- The shift came amid a mounting death toll, allegations of election rigging, and UN concern over the security situation in the region.
Protesters and Activists
Pakistan Government / PML-N
Protest death toll
Protesters and Activists
JAAC alleges more than 40 people, including women and children, were killed since elections began and 400 protesters killed since the first week of June.
Pakistan Government / PML-N
The Pakistan government denied any civilian deaths and dismissed the JAAC figures as 'overly exaggerated'.
Nature of the protesters
Protesters and Activists
JAAC is a collective of peaceful activists from all walks of life — students, traders, transporters, lawyers and social workers — calling for political reform.
Pakistan Government / PML-N
Until recently, PML-N claimed Tehrik-e Taliban members were among the protesters to justify the crackdown; it now calls 99 per cent of them 'patriotic'.
Refugee seats
Protesters and Activists
JAAC demands abolition of 12 refugee seats, alleging the establishment manipulates them to install a prime minister of its choosing.
Pakistan Government / PML-N
PML-N says it will sit with JAAC representatives after forming a government with a two-thirds majority and make resolving the issue its first task.
Key facts
- Region
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)
- Party in focus
- Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), headed by Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif
- Key statement
- Rana Sanaullah said 99 per cent of JAAC protesters are 'patriotic'
- Protest group
- Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), banned by the regional government in June
- Main demand
- Abolition of 12 contentious refugee seats in PoK
- Election status
- PML-N won 25 of 45 assembly seats in two phases; third phase on 4 seats Monday, 7 constituencies postponed
- Casualty claims
- JAAC alleges 40+ killed since elections began and 400 since June; Pakistan government denies civilian deaths
- UN response
- On August 7, UN expressed concern and highlighted need for accountability over action against peaceful protesters
Quotes
Rana Sanaullah
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser for the PML‑N
“Ninety-nine per cent of those associated with the Joint Awami Action Committee are our patriotic brothers.”
news18.com
NDTV
Sources
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