Former senator Mushtaq sent on physical remand over AJK solidarity rally

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Monday remanded former senator Mushtaq Ahmad and a co-accused into police custody for three days after they were arrested in connection with a rally held in support of protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Duty Judge Rakhshanda Shaheen granted the three-day physical remand after Islamabad police produced the former Jamaat-e-Islami senator and co-accused Daniyal before the court.

Prosecutors had sought a 30-day physical remand, contending that investigators required additional time to recover a vehicle and an allegedly illegal weapon linked to the case.

Police registered the case at the Shalimar Police Station after Mushtaq and others organised the rally at F-10 Markaz in support of protesters in AJK.

Mushtaq has been a vocal supporter of the AJK protesters and has called for greater political and constitutional rights for the territory.

The Islamabad protest came against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where the banned Azad Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (AAC) and its supporters have been conducting sit-ins and blockades for over a month.

The unrest in AJK — triggered by mounting socio-economic grievances and election disputes— has escalated into violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators, leaving multiple civilians and law enforcement personnel dead.

Authorities in the federal capital have maintained tight security parameters to prevent AJK agitation from spilling over into Islamabad, frequently relying on public gathering bans.