HRCP calls for impartial, independent investigation into reports of deaths in Rawalakot clashes

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Tuesday called for an impartial and independent inquiry into reports of deaths and injuries during clashes between law enforcement personnel and protesters in Rawalakot during the first phase of general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) held a day earlier in Mirpur division.

“HRCP is deeply disturbed by reports that several people have lost their lives and many others have been injured in clashes between law enforcement personnel and protesters in Rawalakot on the day of the first phase of the AJK legislative elections,” HRCP said in a statement on X.

The statement came after reports of several deaths and injuries on social media. Several videos circulating online showed scenes of unrest with claims of violence and casualties, although the details could not be independently verified. Both security forces and the outlawed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) claimed loss of life on both sides.

AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore also pointed to loss of life and said “blood of innocent Kashmiris” was spilled as he blamed JAAC for the escalation.

The HRCP said the reported deaths in Rawalakot were a “stark reminder of the human cost of the tensions that have gripped AJK in recent weeks”.

It said that while the authorities had a duty to maintain public order, “this must never be at the expense of the right to life or freedom of peaceful assembly and expression”.

It added: “We call for an immediate end to this cycle of violence and a swift, impartial and independent investigation into the reported deaths and injuries, and that anyone responsible for the unlawful use of force be held accountable.”

The HRCP called on the authorities to exercise restraint in responding to protests.

“As the remaining phases of the election approach, the focus must shift from confrontation to protecting lives and restoring public confidence.”

The opposition coalition Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP) also condemned the violence, saying “protesters were subjected to excessive force” and calling for accountability.

In a statement on X, TTAP said the overall situation in the region, including Pakistan’s internal affairs and developments in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir, had become deeply worrying.

“It is unfortunate that although there are parliaments, a senate and provincial assemblies in name, elected representatives have neither been taken into confidence nor the nation informed as to what our course of action should be in these difficult circumstances,” it added.

Referring to the protests in AJK, TTAP said the demonstrations had continued for several weeks and described the protesters’ demands as legitimate, centered around democratic rights, justice and the rule of law.

“They carried out a peaceful march against unbearable inflation and unemployment,” the statement said.

Read also: PML-N secures strong lead in AJK polls, wins 9 out of 13 seats in Mirpur as unofficial results pour in

It further added that TTAP and other political parties, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, had tried to engage with protesters and find a peaceful solution to prevent violence.

“But no one was allowed to go there and our routes were blocked,” it said.

Claiming that several people had already lost their lives before the latest clashes, TTAP claimed that the death toll had risen further based on information received on Monday night.

The statement also referred to videos circulating on social media, claiming they showed unarmed people fleeing on public roads and being hit by gunfire.

“Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan strongly condemn this brutality and cruelty,” the statement said.

It appealed to citizens across Pakistan, regardless of political affiliation, to stand against what it described as violations of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also strongly condemned the reported firing during a public march in AJK and called for an immediate, transparent and impartial judicial inquiry into the incident.

“PTI strongly condemns this incident and demands an immediate, independent, transparent and impartial judicial inquiry into this tragedy so that the facts are brought before the nation and responsible elements are held accountable as per the law,” said a statement issued by the party’s central media wing on X.

The statement further said that the reported deaths and injuries of unarmed citizens was a matter of grave concern and described the incident as an attack on human rights, democratic values ​​and civil liberties.

The PTI also criticized the AJK government and parties involved in its administration, particularly the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party, saying they had a responsibility to respond to the incident.

“It is extremely regrettable that while people are on the streets for their fundamental rights, justice and democracy, their voices are being suppressed by force,” PTI said.

The party warned that such measures could further damage public trust in state institutions and undermine the democratic process.

The PTI called for immediate medical attention to the injured and demanded justice for the families of those killed in the clashes.

The party also expressed condolences to the families of those killed and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

“We make it clear that protection of the constitutional and democratic rights of the people is the fundamental responsibility of the state and the voice of the people cannot be suppressed through any form of repression or use of force,” it added.

Addressing the media at Adiala Road in Rawalpindi, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja called for a fact-finding mission comprising journalists, lawyers and civil society members to visit the region and assess the situation.

Questioning the reports and pictures of AJK, he said it was necessary to establish the facts and present them to the public.

Raja said that the facts of the situation in Azad Kashmir must be presented to the nation.

Commenting on the upcoming August 5 protests, Raja said the party would raise its concerns over the jailing of its founder and hold public gatherings in various cities.

Read more: Casualties reported after JAAC, police clash in AJK’s Rawalakot

He said the country was facing unrest in several areas including Balochistan and AJK.

Speaking about the August 5 protest, Raja said that “we need to wake up the nation to the unjust imprisonment of founder Imran Khan.”

He said that a peaceful mobilization of people could put pressure on the existing system, adding that PTI had submitted applications for permission to hold rallies in Lahore, Rawalpindi and other cities on August 5.

“What is the reason why only PTI gatherings are banned?” he asked.

Raja said the party would ensure that its activities remained peaceful and did not create law and order issues, citing Article 15 of the constitution that said citizens had the right to peaceful protest.

He also criticized the registration of a case against Noreen Niazi, terming it regrettable and saying that legal action should not be taken over personal opinions.

“Someone’s personal views should not become the basis for filing cases,” Raja added.

Raja said discussions would take place during PTI’s central rally in Peshawar on August 5, while protests would also be organized in Punjab.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also condemned the shooting and violence in the region, describing it as an act against the people of Kashmir.

In a statement, Fazl condemned what he described as security forces opening fire on unarmed civilians, calling it “open terrorism”.

“Today the Kashmir cause is being buried,” he said, adding that protest against government policies was the constitutional right of the people.

“Are people not even allowed to raise their voices for their rights?” he asked, adding that efforts had been made to prevent the situation from coming to a head and blaming state institutions for not taking the matter seriously.

He also claimed that the Kashmiri people had rejected the election results and noted that the JUI-F had failed to win a single seat in the region.

“How long will those demanding their rights continue to be labeled as foreign agents?” he asked, calling on the state to immediately end what he described as repression and allow the people to exercise their legitimate right to protest.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers against this oppression and brutality. We pray that the martyrs reach the highest ranks and condole with the bereaved families,” he said.

Background

AJK’s 53-member legislature includes 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees – people who fled Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in 1947 and 1965 and are now spread across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people) and six from the Kashmir valley (~30,000 people) – an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.

The region saw one of its most turbulent periods last October, when protests led by JAAC broke out over demands for constitutional and government reforms. At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.

JAAC, which organized the protests and strike, had presented a comprehensive charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly spaces reserved for refugees and the abolition of the quota system.

Two days after the violence, the government and JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core points and 13 additional points. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to set up a high-level committee to look into the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

The matter is at an impasse at the moment, with JAAC calling for the abolition of the seats, while the government rejects the demand.