Pakistan, June 29 -- The banned Joint Awami Action Committee's (JAAC) chief, Umar Nazeer, has issued public threats to traders in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), according to official statements.

Authorities said the JAAC's disruptive elements have begun intimidating AJK shopkeepers. Nazeer is alleged to be distributing "traitor certificates" to those who kept shops open during the strike. In a statement attributed to him, Nazeer warned: "Those who open shops in Azad Kashmir will always be remembered as traitors. We will mark which shop belongs to a traitor, which to a facilitator." He cited an example from Bagh, claiming a bakery owner who opened during the strike had to sell and flee.

Officials and analysts said the public has rejected ...