Iqrar-ul-Hassan Urges Restraint in Rawalakot, Calls for Protection of Democratic Rights
Lahore: Awam Raj Party chief Iqrar-ul-Hassan has called for restraint in dealing with the situation in Rawalakot, urging authorities to respect democratic values and avoid the use of force against protesters.
In a video statement shared on X, Iqrar-ul-Hassan expressed concern over the situation in Kashmir, alleging that protesters were being met with force and that media coverage had been restricted. He said the country’s democratic environment had deteriorated and urged the authorities to listen to public grievances rather than suppress dissent.
He appealed for compassion, saying the people of Kashmir have affection for Pakistan and should be treated with respect. He also prayed for guidance for the country’s leadership and called for tolerance toward peaceful protest and differing opinions.
کشمیریوں پر ظلم ڈھانے والو !! ہوش کے ناخن لو۔ تم نے اس ملک میں وہ ماحول پیدا کر دیا ہے جہاں جمہوریت اور انسانیت شرمسار ہیں، ظلم اور جبر کی حکومت ہے اور مڈل کلاس اور غریب کا جینا عذاب ہو گیا ہے۔۔۔ لیکن یاد رکھنا فرعونوں کی حکومت بھی نہیں رہی، اور آپ نے بھی ہمیشہ نہیں رہنا۔ pic.twitter.com/clmpq6XqwX
— Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) July 28, 2026
Separately, senior journalist Asma Shirazi wrote on X that there was a “deafening silence” over the situation in Rawalakot. She criticized the lack of response from political parties and the media, arguing that the use of force was inappropriate and urging political leaders to engage before the situation worsened.
Meanwhile, according to APP News Agency, authorities claimed that evidence obtained during a security operation contradicted assertions that a proscribed Action Committee was unarmed.
APP reported that a suspect identified as Zohaib Khalid was arrested during the operation and that security forces recovered a U.S.-made M4 rifle from his possession. The report also cited official claims that videos showed armed members of the banned group carrying multiple weapons and alleged their involvement in attacks targeting security personnel and civilians.
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
According to the report, a police constable, Ali Abbas, was seriously injured in the exchange of fire and was shifted to a hospital for medical treatment.
The claims regarding the activities of the banned organization and the recovered weapons have been made by Pakistani authorities and APP, and independent verification of these allegations was not immediately available.
