ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expanded the federal negotiation team tasked with defusing tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), according to his office, amid ongoing protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
According to an official statement, the team has travelled to Muzaffarabad to engage in dialogue with JAAC leaders and provide recommendations to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The expanded team now includes Senator Rana Sanaullah, Federal Ministers Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Ahsan Iqbal, senior leaders Amir Muqam, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Qamar Zaman Kaira, former AJK president Masood Khan, and Sardar Masood Ahmed.
PM Sharif emphasized that peaceful protest is a democratic right, but warned against actions that disrupt public order and peace. He directed law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and avoid excessive use of force, assuring protesters that the government is committed to addressing their concerns.
Dialogue and government response
Sharif also announced support for families affected by the unrest and has called for a transparent investigation into the recent violence. He said he will personally oversee the negotiation process upon his return from London.
Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry reiterated the government’s openness to dialogue, saying it is now the JAAC’s responsibility to help stabilize the situation.
Background of the unrest
Protests erupted across AJK on September 29, triggering a near-complete shutdown in Muzaffarabad. Markets remained closed, public transport was suspended, and most schools were empty, despite being officially open.
The JAAC submitted a 38-point charter of demands, which included the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri migrants from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and royalty payments from regional hydropower projects.
Government officials reported that nearly 90% of the demands were accepted. However, two key demands — reducing the number of ministers and abolishing migrant seats — were rejected, as they require constitutional amendments.
Calls for calm
At a joint press conference on Wednesday, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq urged the JAAC to resume talks. They warned that continued violence would undermine public welfare.
“Public rights are affected where human lives are lost,” said PM Anwar-ul-Haq, noting that the federal government had already engaged in extensive negotiations, resulting in a draft agreement.
Officials added that federal ministers stationed in Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot will oversee the implementation of any agreements reached with protest leaders.
