Rangers sent to Azad Kashmir has been called back on the order of President Zardari

MUZAFFARABAD, May 12 (SABAH): Rangers sent to Azad Kashmir has been called back on the order of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari; meanwhile the Awani Action Committee has welcomed the move. The federal government expressed annoyance over deteriorated situation of Azad Kashmir.

There is possibility of change of chief secretary and Inspector General of Police. Commissioner of Muzaffarabad Masoodur Rehman and DIG Yaseen Qureshi were removed from their positions. Commissioners were made OSD. Sardar Adnan is new commissioner and Irfan Masood was appointed as DIG. There is also possibility of change of Mirpur administration.

Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq during a press conference expressed his willingness to hold negotiations with Awami Action Committee. He also expressed his willingness to bring down electricity and flour prices according to the public demands. After this, Awami Action Committee while expressing positive reaction, said to engage in negotiation with the government. The representatives of Action Committee left for Rawalakot to hold negotiation with chief secretary. Long march heading to Muzaffarabad will be delayed upon approval of demands.

On the other side Azad Kashmir government had asked the federation for sending one thousand of Rangers personnel but due to interference of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, Rangers were ordered to come back to Islamabad. Due to this reason, vehicles of Rangers left for Islamabad before reaching Muzaffarabad city.

Leader of Awami Action Committee Shaukat Nawaz Mir reached Kohala and mixed up with the people. During this while talking to media persons, he said that from all measures taken till now the best is to calling back Rangers. He said they don’t want clash with the state and it is not part of their agenda, adding we admit constitution of Azad Kashmir, law, assembly and the government.

He said that Prime Minister Azad Kashmir is also our prime minister but no one can be allowed to fire bullets when the people ask for their rights. He said they are thankful to federal government and Azad Kashmir government as they called back the Rangers. President Zardari has called the People’s Party notables to Islamabad.

On the other side, former prime minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan in a social media message while referring to president party Shah Ghulam Qadir, said where he is in this situation. After this, President Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azad Jammu and Kashmir Shah Ghulam Qadir contacted with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad and briefed him about the sensitivity of the situation. To this, the Prime Minister directed Interior Minister Muhsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Anwarul Haq to resolve all the matters peacefully. After this, Prime Minister Azad Kashmir addressed a press conference and announced to bring down electricity tariff and give more subsidy on flour.

The awami action committee informed the demonstrators and convoys to remain peaceful while heading towards Muzaffarabad and don’t damages anyone including buildings. It is a good omen that Friday and Saturday like violent incidents have ended now and people are doing peaceful march now. The police have also gone on back foot.