National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Monday called for a “thorough and urgent” probe into the attack targeting Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar’s convoy.
Akbar was visiting his constituency Kakliyot Village when the shooting occurred. The attack took place around 12:45 pm when the speaker’s convoy, comprising 20 to 25 vehicles and motorcycles, reached Kakliyot. Three PPP workers traveling in the convoy were injured when the assailants opened indiscriminate fires.
Sadiq sent letters today through National Assembly General Secretary Tahir Hussain addressed to AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Jabbar, ordering thorough and urgent investigation into the incident and strict action against suspected attackers.
He also asked the principal secretary and IGP to submit a comprehensive report to his office within three days.
The letters strongly condemned the incident, calling it “an affront to the dignity and security of democratic institutions.” They also noted the lack of preventative measures despite reports of previous threats, saying this oversight warranted “careful review and appropriate action.”
“This matter is of paramount importance, and any delay in addressing it could undermine public confidence in the ability of local authorities to protect and safeguard both the public and their representatives. Ensuring the safety and security of parliamentary representatives is critical, and urgent measures must be taken to prevent such incidents in the future,” the letters concluded.
The letters were issued on behalf of the Speakers’ Forum, comprising Sadiq, Senate President Yousuf Raza Gilani, speakers of the four provincial assemblies and speakers from AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.