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One Killed in Shooting Amid Mixed Response to Joint Awami Action Committee Strike in Azad Kashmir

Markets reopened in major cities like Mirpur...

One Killed in Qallan Shooting as Shutdown Eases in Major Azad Kashmir Cities

While business districts reopened in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad...

45-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Budgam’s Branwar Area

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Yasin Malik Refuses Defense in 1990 Kashmiri Pandit Murder Case, Seeks Death Penalty

The Azadi Times
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Yasin Malik Refuses Defense in 1990 Kashmiri Pandit Murder Case, Seeks Death Penalty

JKLF leader denies involvement in Sarla Bhat's killing in a 25-page affidavit, stating he has left his fate to God while citing family separation.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yasin Malik has stated he will no longer defend himself in the 1990 murder case of Kashmiri Pandit nurse Sarla Bhat, asking the court for the death penalty instead.

In a 25-page affidavit submitted to the court, Malik denied any role in the killing, maintaining that he has been falsely implicated in the decades-old case. He emphasized that his decision to halt legal defense should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt, adding that he has chosen to leave the matter to God following prolonged imprisonment and separation from his family.

The case gained momentum earlier this year on June 29, when India’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) filed a chargesheet naming Malik and others in connection with the 1990 incident, which occurred approximately 36 years ago.

In the personal portion of his affidavit, Malik described Sarla Bhat as innocent, comparing her to his own daughter, Raziyah Sultana. He also rejected allegations that Bhat had worked as an informer for security forces.

Malik's affidavit further touched upon his personal life, including references to his wife, Mushaal Hussein Malik, and their daughter, amid ongoing discussions regarding his long detention. Separate remarks from his family members, including his sister in the presence of his mother, have highlighted the legal and personal strains surrounding the case.

Legal proceedings remain ongoing, and a final determination depends on the completion of the court's judicial review.

AJK High Court to Hear Plea Challenging Government Formation Process on September 15

The Azadi Times
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AJK High Court to Hear Plea Challenging Government Formation Process on September 15

A petition filed in Muzaffarabad argues that government formation should be halted until elections are completed across all constituencies in Poonch and Sudhnoti.

The process of government formation in Pakistan-administered Kashmir has been challenged in the High Court, with a hearing scheduled for September 15.

Sardar Farooq Arshad, a candidate for the legislative assembly from the Baloch constituency, filed a writ petition in Muzaffarabad challenging the ongoing transition.

According to the petitioner, the electoral process remains incomplete across seven constituencies in the Poonch and Sudhnoti regions. The petition asks the court to suspend the government formation process until elections are fully concluded in all remaining constituencies.

The legal challenge also questions the constitutional and legal validity of proceeding with government formation while key electoral stages are still pending.

The petition comes as political developments unfold following elections that saw the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secure 25 seats as the largest party in the legislature. Despite the pending contests in the seven Poonch and Sudhnoti seats, political activities regarding government formation have continued.

The Muzaffarabad High Court has accepted the petition for hearing and set the date for September 15. The court is expected to examine the legal and constitutional arguments surrounding the formation of a government before polls conclude in all designated districts.

The case has drawn close attention from legal and political circles across the region as debates continue over electoral mandates, institutional procedures, and constitutional requirements.

Azad Kashmir Faces 92-Day Internet Shutdown as Full Restoration Remains Pending in Several Areas

The Azadi Times
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Azad Kashmir Faces 92-Day Internet Shutdown as Full Restoration Remains Pending in Several Areas

Prolonged disruption to mobile data and broadband continues to impact students, freelancers, journalists, and local businesses, drawing urgent calls for a permanent resolution.

The suspension of internet services in parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has entered its 92nd day, with mobile data and broadband connectivity failing to return to normal across several affected areas.

The extended outage has created significant challenges for students, freelancers, digital business operators, journalists, and local residents. According to citizens, the ongoing lack of reliable internet access has disrupted daily life, education, commercial activities, and professional workflows.

Students report that the continued absence of connectivity has hindered access to online classes, academic resources, and essential digital platforms. For freelancers and online business owners, the blackout has directly affected their livelihoods and income streams. Journalists covering the region have similarly faced difficulties in transmitting news reports, communicating with sources, and accessing real-time updates.

While partial restoration has been reported in certain pockets, residents state that full and reliable service remains unavailable in many localities.

Local communities have urged the Azad Kashmir government and relevant authorities to address the prolonged crisis without delay and ensure the complete, uninterrupted restoration of broadband and mobile data services across all affected regions. Public representatives and civil society groups emphasize that partial measures are insufficient to restore normal economic, educational, and professional activity.

As the disruption crosses the three-month mark, residents continue to press authorities for a clear timeline and a permanent resolution to the recurring communication blackouts affecting the region.

Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee Calls General Strike Across Azad Kashmir on September 9

The Azadi Times
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Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee Calls General Strike Across Azad Kashmir on September 9

The action committee has announced a complete shutdown and transport strike to press for the implementation of an October 2025 government agreement.

RAWALAKOT — The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has announced a complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike across Pakistan-administered Kashmir on September 9, stepping up pressure on authorities to fulfill a previously signed agreement.

In a formal statement issued from Rawalakot, the action committee called on residents, traders, transport operators, and civil society groups to participate in demonstrations and ongoing sit-ins. The core demand centers on the full implementation of a government agreement reached on October 4, 2025, which addresses public grievances related to basic utilities, communication services, education, healthcare, and essential supplies.

The committee urged international and human rights organizations to monitor the situation in the region, while also paying tribute to individuals affected during demonstrations that have taken place since June 2026.

According to official figures from the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, authorities report having fully implemented 24 out of 44 demands outlined in the agreement with the action committee, with work ongoing or partial implementation recorded on another 16 points. Disagreements remain over four specific demands.

The upcoming September 9 strike marks another chapter in ongoing public mobilization across the region regarding governance and civic demands.

AJK Rights Movement Enters 88th Day as Leader Calls for Meaningful Talks

The Azadi Times
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AJK Rights Movement Enters 88th Day as Leader Calls for Meaningful Talks

Joint Awami Action Committee leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri emphasizes dialogue over pressure as protests and supply concerns persist in Poonch division.

The public rights movement in Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir has entered its 88th day, with leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) reiterating their demands and calling for genuine negotiations to resolve the ongoing crisis.

Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a prominent JAAC leader, stated that the public remains peaceful and steadfast in pursuing their acknowledged fundamental rights. He emphasized that the current situation cannot be resolved through pressure or force, advocating instead for purposeful and result-oriented dialogue.

"The public cannot be subdued through the use of force, and the only solution to these issues is through purposeful and meaningful negotiations," Kashmiri said. He added that if authorities approach talks with sincerity, the movement's leadership is prepared to engage, while noting that demanding an end to sit-ins without addressing core issues cannot substitute for actual dialogue.

The prolonged movement, which has spanned nearly three months, has seen continuous reports of protests, communication restrictions, and disruptions to daily life across various regions. Residents in the Poonch division have also repeatedly raised concerns regarding the supply of food and essential commodities.

The core demands put forward by the action committee include basic public services, reductions in privileges for the ruling class, reforms in governance, and improvements in the health and education sectors. The question of effective implementation of reforms and trust-building measures between the parties remains a central political issue as authorities and representatives navigate the ongoing situation.

AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani Urges End to Poonch Protests, Asks for Time for New Government

The Azadi Times
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AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani Urges End to Poonch Protests, Asks for Time for New Government

Newly elected Prime Minister calls on the Joint Awami Action Committee to suspend demonstrations while declining to clarify the status of non-local assembly seats in his upcoming cabinet.

MUZAFFARABAD — Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s newly elected Prime Minister, Iftikhar Gilani, has called on the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) to end its ongoing sit-in protests in Poonch and across the region, urging citizens to give the newly formed administration time to address public grievances.

Speaking on local political developments, Prime Minister Gilani emphasized that the incoming government requires a reasonable timeframe to initiate practical measures aimed at resolving longstanding civic and economic issues. The demonstrations, organized by the action committee over core public demands, have remained a central focus of regional politics amid ongoing negotiations between protest leaders and authorities.

However, during discussions regarding the composition of his upcoming cabinet, Gilani did not provide a definitive response when questioned about the inclusion of members elected from non-local seats—a contentious point among various political factions in the region.

The appeal comes as public agitation and negotiations over the action committee's charter of demands continue to shape the political landscape across Pakistan-administered Kashmir, particularly in the Poonch division. Observers note that the administration's approach to the protests and its ability to engage with public grievances will be critical in determining stability in the coming weeks.

JKLF Leader Yasin Malik Reportedly Files Affidavit From Tihar Jail Addressing Family, Future

The Azadi Times
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JKLF Leader Yasin Malik Reportedly Files Affidavit From Tihar Jail Addressing Family, Future

Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik has reportedly prepared a detailed affidavit from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, addressing his family, the prolonged separation from his wife, and a message for his daughter.

Kashmiri leader and Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) figure Yasin Malik has reportedly prepared a 25-page affidavit from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, containing detailed personal messages regarding his family, according to information shared by US-based JKLF figure Raja Muzaffar.

The affidavit, prepared for a Taha/Pota court in Jammu, addresses Malik's long separation from his family, his wife Mushaal Malik, and his 13-year-old daughter, Razia Sultana.

According to the shared details, Malik stated that he has not been permitted to hear his wife's voice for eight years due to a lack of telephone or video call access. In light of his prolonged detention and legal uncertainties, the affidavit reportedly touches upon releasing his wife from the marriage tie so she is not bound by his circumstances and can pursue her life independently.

Malik also addressed his daughter, stating that he has spent the last eight years without hearing her voice and keeps a photograph of her close in prison isolation. He encouraged her to maintain regular contact with her grandmother to provide support during a difficult time.

The disclosures describe the document as a personal statement rather than a formal clemency appeal. Independent verification of the complete original court document remains pending, and reporting is based on the details shared by Raja Muzaffar.

Rohail Nazir Set for National Squad Recall Ahead of England Test Series

The Azadi Times
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Rohail Nazir Set for National Squad Recall Ahead of England Test Series

The wicketkeeper-batter from Bagh district's Dhirkot area is reportedly under consideration for Pakistan's final Test against England.

Young wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir, hailing from the Chhaprian Dhara area of Dhirkot in Azad Kashmir’s Bagh district, has once again drawn attention on the national cricket landscape.

Reports indicate that Nazir is expected to be named in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming third and final Test match against England, scheduled for September 9 in Birmingham. Pakistan currently trails in the three-match series following defeats in the opening two fixtures.

Nazir has previously represented the national side and Pakistan Shaheens, earning recognition from selectors for his technical skills behind the stumps and reliable batting performances in domestic cricket.

His potential inclusion has been welcomed across Azad Kashmir, with sports circles in Bagh and Dhirkot viewing the development as a source of local pride and an example of talent emerging from smaller regional areas into professional sports.

Residents of Pachhiot and Mujahidabad Hold Torchlight Rally in Behrota

The Azadi Times
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Residents of Pachhiot and Mujahidabad Hold Torchlight Rally in Behrota

Demonstrators gathered in Behrota to press for public demands, chanting slogans of unity and reaffirming their commitment to a sustained peaceful rights movement.

Residents from Pachhiot and Mujahidabad staged a torchlight demonstration in Behrota, drawing a large turnout from the local population to highlight ongoing community demands.

Participants carrying torches marched through the area, expressing solidarity and emphasizing collective action. Demonstrators chanted slogans centered on unity and continued mobilization, including "United toward victory, keep moving forward."

Organizers and attendees said the community remains united in pursuing its rights through peaceful means, signaling that the local movement for public demands will continue.

The gathering brought together individuals from various walks of life in Behrota, marking another expression of grassroots civic mobilization currently active in the region.

Education Must Teach Resilience and Rights, Says Advocate Khawaja Mehran

The Azadi Times
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Education Must Teach Resilience and Rights, Says Advocate Khawaja Mehran

A statement from legal and political circles in Pakistan-administered Kashmir has reignited debate over the true purpose of modern education and civic consciousness.

MUZAFFARABAD — Education is not merely about acquiring degrees or attending formal institutions, but must also instill the courage to stand up for fundamental rights, according to legal figure Advocate Khawaja Mehran.

In a recent statement, Advocate Mehran addressed the public across Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions, drawing a comparison regarding the socio-political engagement of youth across different regions of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. He emphasized that academic learning loses its deeper value if it fails to cultivate civic awareness and the resolve to defend one's rights.

"You are sending your children to schools, colleges, and universities," Advocate Mehran stated, "but remember, education that does not teach how to fight for one's rights has no real value."

The remarks come amid ongoing discussions across Azad Kashmir concerning youth empowerment, regional representation, student activism, and broader socio-economic challenges. While academic institutions in major urban centers continue to expand enrollment, political observers note a growing grassroots emphasis on student involvement in civic rights movements, particularly in districts like Poonch and Sudhnoti.

The statement has drawn varied interpretations locally. Rather than dividing student communities across regional lines, analysts view the discourse as a reflection of a broader debate over whether conventional educational models adequately prepare youth to address regional administrative grievances and advocate for systemic reforms.

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