Three PPP workers were injured when a convoy of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar lit a fire on Sunday, sparking outrage within the party and the PPP. Condemned by top political leaders including PK Chairman Balwal Bhutto-Asdardari.
Speaker’s staff member Chaudhry Murad Ali said Dawn.com The attack took place during a visit to Kakluot village, 15 km south of Muzaffarabad.
In Kakulyot, the Speaker’s constituency, an event was planned to welcome several prominent Muslim Conference (MC) workers to the PPP.
Among those who joined was Raja Aamir Zafar’s father, a local district council member who is closely associated with MC candidate Raja Saqib Majeed. Zafar had publicly threatened to stop anyone from entering the village on social media.
Murad said the event had been postponed several times over the past four months due to Zafar’s threats, which were repeatedly reported to the district administration. “Despite a reminder three days before the visit, no precautionary measures were taken by the authorities,” he alleged.
After participating in the Black Day celebrations in Muzaffarabad today, Speaker Akbar left for his constituency, once again alerting the administration about the possibility of unrest.
At around 12:45 pm, when a convoy of 20-25 vehicles and motorcycles reached Kakkaleot, the gunmen opened fire on the vehicles. Three PPP workers who were traveling in reputable vehicles were injured.
He was identified as Mubasher Hussain, who was shot in the head. Muhammad Riaz, who was hit in the shoulder. and Adil Imtiaz, who suffered an arm injury. Eminent lawyer Chaudhry Shaukat Aziz, also traveling with the Speaker, escaped unharmed.
The injured were rushed to a hospital in Muzaffarabad, where doctors operated on Mubasher Hussain and declared his condition out of danger.
Despite the arrival of the Deputy Commissioner, Additional Superintendent of Police and other senior officials, after nearly three hours, the authorities failed to fully control the situation, as the firing reportedly continued in their presence. Stuck for hours said. Dawn.com.
Addressing his supporters during the procession, Akbar reiterated his commitment to constitutional principles and the rule of law.
“I have always practiced politics based on respect, harmony and brotherhood. My priority is to make people’s lives easier, not make them more difficult. I never put anyone’s life at risk. I will put it, whether it is for me or against me.
As news of the attack spread through social media, PPP activists staged protests across Muzaffarabad, burning tires and blocking traffic at major intersections like Chattar and Gujra.
However, upon entering the city at 5:30 pm, the speaker managed to pacify the supporters, who were chanting slogans in his favour. Akbar urged them to maintain peace, avoid increased savings, and allow vehicular movement to resume so as to reduce public inconvenience.
He then went to the hospital to meet the injured workers.
The attack on Akbar’s convoy was widely condemned by political leaders. In a statement, AJK President Barrister Sultan Mehmood termed the attack as “highly commendable” and called for the immediate arrest of the culprits to ensure justice.
The PPP chairman strongly condemned the attack and demanded the arrest of the attackers statement Issued by the party.
“Chairman PPP thanked him that Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar was unharmed in the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of the two injured persons,” the statement read. “They also demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the attack.”
According to the state broadcaster Radio PakistanPresident Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident and prayed for the recovery of those injured in the attack.
In a statement, he termed the attack on the Speaker of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly as a “cowardly and despicable act”.
AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and other leaders also issued separate statements or called Akbar. He condemned the incident and expressed relief that the speaker was not harmed.
