Azad Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Information, Auqaf and Religious Affairs, Chaudhry Muhammad Rafiq Nayyar, has said that the emerging rights movement in AJK was a natural and constitutional response to public grievances, political vacuum, and institutional weaknesses, and that the government dealt with it with patience, restraint, and responsibility.
He was speaking at a discussion on the AJK rights movement organized by the Asma Jahangir Foundation in Lahore. The session was moderated by senior journalist and President of the Capital Journalists Forum, Tariq Naqash. Other speakers included President Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani, Joint Awami Action Committee core member Raja Amjad Ali Khan, and political and social analyst Naila Altaf Kiani.
The Information Minister stated that demanding rights is a fundamental right in any civilized society, noting that the people of AJK raised their voices over issues such as inflation, electricity and flour prices, employment opportunities, and fair distribution of resources. He said the government was fully aware of the causes and ground realities of these problems.
He clarified that the AJK government recognized peaceful protest as a democratic right but considered violence, provocation, and hatred against state institutions unacceptable. He added that the government made repeated efforts to resolve issues through dialogue, formation of committees, and practical measures.
Chaudhry Muhammad Rafiq Nayyar pointed out that political vacuum was a key factor behind the rights movement, leading to the emergence of non-political platforms. He said the role of the Joint Action Committee was a natural outcome of this vacuum, but emphasized that sustainable solutions could only be delivered through elected and constitutional institutions.
He further stated that the government reviewed subsidy policies, balanced flour and electricity prices, provided relief to low-income groups, and promoted transparency in development projects. Concluding his remarks, he said that the rights movement and the state are not opposing forces but two aspects of the same objective, stressing that dialogue and reform—not confrontation—are the path forward. He reaffirmed the AJK government’s commitment to safeguarding public rights, ensuring political stability, and defending the Kashmir freedom movement’s stance.