ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday peaceful protests were a democratic right, but there should be “no tolerance” for violence, amid protests in Azad Kashmir for subsidized wheat flour and cheaper electricity.
The statement came a day after clashes erupted between police and supporters of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in various parts of the territory, resulting in the killing of a police officer and injuries to 90 others on both sides, according to officials.
The protests turned violent when police attempted to stop a rally headed for the Azad Kashmir capital of Muzaffarabad from Kotli and Poonch districts. The protesters are demanding electricity as per hydropower generation cost in Azad Kashmir, subsidized wheat flour, and an end to privileges enjoyed by the elite.
In his message on X, PM Sharif said he was “deeply concerned” over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and had asked AJK PM Anwar-ul-Haq to hold talks with the protesters.
“Unfortunately, in situations of chaos and dissent there are always some who rush in to score political points,” he said. “While debate, discussion and peaceful protests are the beauties of democracy, there should be absolutely no tolerance for taking the law in one’s own hands and damaging government properties.”
Sharif urged all parties to resort to peaceful course of action for the resolution of their demands. “Despite best efforts of detractors, the matter will hopefully be settled soon,” he said.
Separately, the Azad Kashmir government on Sunday invited protesters for talks.
“The situation is currently peaceful and under control, and we are trying to settle issues through talks,” Abdul Majid Khan, a spokesperson of the Azad Kashmir government who is also its finance minister, told Arab News.
“We have invited the action committee to come and sit with us for dialogue on all their demands.”
Khan warned that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands, emphasizing the government had exercised “significant restraint.”
He noted the government was providing wheat in Azad Kashmir at Rs3,100 [$11.16] per 40kg, which was already heavily subsidized and cheaper than in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province, the main producer of the crop in the South Asian country.
The Himalayan territory of Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence from Britain in 1947. Both countries rule part of the territory, but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the disputed region.
The western portion of the larger Kashmir region is administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity.
Pakistan last year narrowly avoided a default on the payment of foreign debts when the International Monetary Fund and several friendly nations came to its rescue by giving it loans.
Pakistan’s monthly inflation rate at one point reached over 40 percent, but authorities say it had come down to 17 percent ahead of talks with the IMF for a new bailout. Islamabad plans to get at least $6 billion from the lender when it reaches a deal expected in the coming months.
Pakistan PM says ‘no tolerance’ for violence amid Azad Kashmir protests over price hikes
https://arab.news/y3d4z
Pakistan PM says ‘no tolerance’ for violence amid Azad Kashmir protests over price hikes
- Clashes erupted in parts of Azad Kashmir Saturday as protesters demanded cheaper wheat flour, electricity
- The violence resulted in the killing of a police officer and injuries to 90 others on both sides, officials say
Traders estimate $18 million losses as rescue operations continue after Karachi mall inferno
- DNA testing underway to identify victims still missing after blaze destroys 1,200 shops
- Emergency services dispatched on Tuesday to another fire at Karachi’s New Vegetable Market
KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Karachi’s business community on Tuesday estimated losses of about $18 million after a devastating fire tore through a major shopping plaza in the city, with rescue teams continuing search and recovery operations at the site amid fears that more victims may still be trapped under the debris.
The fire broke out late Saturday at Gul Plaza, a multi-story shopping complex in Karachi’s congested Saddar area, spreading rapidly through the building, which has over 1,200 shops, and trapping workers and shoppers inside. Recovery efforts have been slowed by severe structural damage and fears of collapse, officials said.
Dr. Summaiya Syed, Karachi’s chief police surgeon, said 20 deaths had been confirmed so far, with identification still underway for several bodies recovered from the site.
Karachi has a long history of deadly fires in commercial buildings, often blamed on overcrowding, aging infrastructure and weak enforcement of fire safety regulations in a city of more than 20 million people.
Atiq Mir, president of the Karachi Tajir Ittehad, which represents around 600,000 small traders across the city, said assessments by traders now put the financial damage from the Gul Plaza fire at nearly Rs5 billion ($18 million), far higher than initial estimates.
“The plaza had at least 8000-10,000 laborers and then those affiliated to them. We can easily say nearly 10,000 families have been affected by this fire,” Mir told Arab News.
He urged the government to announce a compensation grant of at least Rs5 billion ($18 million) and said the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry would be the most appropriate body to oversee transparent distribution of relief funds.
On Monday, the provincial government of Sindh said it would provide Rs10 million ($36,000) in compensation to the family of each person killed in the Gul Plaza fire.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also announced the formation of a joint committee involving provincial officials and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to assess losses and oversee rehabilitation of affected traders. He said authorities were exploring temporary arrangements to relocate 1,000 to 1,200 shops so businesses could resume operations as quickly as possible.
Citing past precedents such as the Bolton Market arson and the Cooperative Market fire, Shah said similar compensation and recovery mechanisms had previously helped traders rebuild their livelihoods and would guide the current response.
On Tuesday, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said heavy machinery had been deployed to clear debris and allow access to Gul Plaza’s basement, where search teams believe victims may still be trapped.
“Under all circumstances, the rescue operation must be completed and the search for victims further accelerated,” Wahab said during a visit to the site, according to a statement.
“All departments of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation will remain on alert until every missing person is traced and the operation is concluded.”
As rescue operations intensified at Gul Plaza, emergency services were dispatched to another fire at Karachi’s New Vegetable Market, officials said, underscoring persistent safety challenges.
Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad said fire brigade units and Rescue 1122 teams were immediately deployed and the blaze was brought under control.
“The fire is under control and there is no danger,” Murad said, adding that the affected area had been secured and cooling operations were underway.
Police officials said no casualties were reported in the vegetable market incident.
