Asma Shirazi Criticizes Silence Over Rawalakot Situation; Authorities Claim Armed Elements Linked to Banned Action Committee
Lahore: Senior journalist Asma Shirazi has criticized political parties and the media for remaining silent over the situation in Rawalakot, saying that they are “turning a blind eye” to the developments.
In a post on social media platform X, Shirazi said there was a “deep silence” over the situation in Rawalakot. She remarked that political parties and the media were avoiding the issue and warned that the use of force was not an appropriate solution under any circumstances.
She urged politicians to step forward and play their role before it becomes too late, saying that addressing the issue later would only amount to regretting after the damage had been done.
Meanwhile, according to state news agency APP, alleged claims by the banned Action Committee that it was unarmed have been challenged following the arrest of one of its alleged members in Rawalakot.
راولا کوٹ کی صورت حا ل پر ایک مہیب خاموشی ہے۔ سیاسی جماعتیں اور میڈیا مُنہ چھپا کر شتر مرغ کی طرح آنکھیں بند کئے بیٹھا ہے، طاقت کا استعمال قطعی طور پر کسی صورت مناسب نہیں ہے۔ سیاست دان بعد میں لکیر پیٹنے سے بہتر ہے کہ ابھی میدان میں کودیں ورنہ دیر ہو جائے گی۔
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) July 28, 2026
Authorities claimed that video footage showed armed individuals associated with the banned group carrying multiple weapons. They alleged that armed elements were involved in creating unrest in the area and targeting both civilians and security personnel.
Officials said that a soldier, Ali Abbas, was seriously injured in firing allegedly carried out by members of the group and was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Law enforcement agencies arrested an alleged armed member of the banned Action Committee, identified as Zohaib Khalid, during an operation. Authorities claimed that the group’s leadership had provided modern US-made M4 rifles to its members to spread unrest.
An M4 rifle was reportedly recovered from the arrested suspect. According to officials, Zohaib Khalid claimed that the banned group had announced a reward of Rs. 10 million for killing a Rangers or police personnel.
Authorities said the suspect’s statements and video evidence had exposed what they described as false claims by the banned Action Committee regarding being unarmed.
The allegations against the banned group have been reported by authorities and have not been independently verified.
