PM Shehbaz voices concern over AJK unrest, urges restraint on both sides

Following violent protests that killed three police officials and injured scores others a day ago, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grave concern over the state of law and order in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday, while urging the local residents to maintain peace and also ordering the law enforcement officials to exercise restraint, Aaj News reported.

After negotiations between the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the AJK government, and federal ministers collapsed over elite privileges and reserved refugee seats, AJK was paralysed by a communications blackout amid three-day strike during which rallies were held and clashes erupted. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and AJK PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq extended an invitation to the JAAC for new talks on Wednesday.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Interior has also convened an important meeting in the federal capital city on Thursday (today) to mull over measures to de-escalate the tension.

In a post on X, PM Shehbaz has expressed deep concern over the fresh wave of mistrust and violence in AJK and directed the government and administration to take immediate and concrete steps.

Taking strict notice of the incident, he said that peaceful protest is the constitutional and democratic right of every citizen, however, he appealed to the protesters to refrain from disrupting peace and order and also demanded that the law enforcement agencies show patience and tolerance with the protesters and ensure respect for public sentiments. The prime minister has also issued instructions to provide immediate relief to the affected families.

Moreover, the premier has ordered a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident so that whoever is responsible for the unfortunate incident can be brought to justice.

He has decided to expand the negotiation committee to speed up the negotiation process and has included Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal ministers Sardar Yousaf and Ahsan Iqbal, former president of AJK Masood Khan and Qamar Zaman Kaira.

JAAC invited for talks as three policemen killed in AJK

The prime minister has directed that the committee immediately reach Muzaffarabad to assess the problems and send its recommendations and proposed solutions to the Prime Minister’s Office without delay so that immediate remedial measures can be taken.

Shehbaz said that the government is always ready to resolve the problems of the Kashmiri brothers and will personally monitor the negotiation process, and the Prime Minister’s Office will also remain vigilant to monitor the negotiation process after returning home.

He clearly stated that any unnecessary harshness or use of excessive force should be avoided and efforts should be made to listen to and resolve public sentiments with full respect.

Clashes between protesters and police were reported a day ago during the three-day protest movement. According to the BBC, three police officers were killed and about 150 were injured in these clashes.

AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said during a press conference on Wednesday that “three policemen were killed and 150 policemen were injured during the clash at Chamyati, of whom eight are in critical condition.”

While the Public Action Committee (PAC) claims that two protesters were killed and several civilians were injured in the clashes.

District authorities and medical sources have not yet been able to provide final figures due to discrepancies in the number of injured.

The PAC has included in its demands changes in the privileges of the ruling classes, elimination of assembly seats reserved for refugees, free medical treatment, uniform and free education, establishment of an international airport, reforms in the quota system, and reforms in the judicial system.

Wheel jam, shutter down strike cripples AJK

The committee maintains that their demands are constitutional and democratic in nature and that the movement is completely peaceful, however, they have also acknowledged the complications arising from the closure of inter-provincial highways and protest activities.

Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and the local administration have said that it is not possible to achieve any goal through violence and solutions to problems can be found only through meaningful negotiations. The Federal Minister said that the government will continue its efforts to hold talks with the Public Action Committee and several demands have already been accepted, while the committee has been directed to adopt constitutional procedures to resolve some constitutional and legal demands.

Local political leaders and committee members have also welcomed the prime minister’s offer of talks and have appealed for an immediate end to the communication blackout for the talks so that they are meaningful and effective. PAC leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri said that complete transparency in information and communication is essential for meaningful talks.

Amid PM Shehbaz’s announcement and the expansion of the negotiation committee, the government is expressing hope that the situation will be brought under control immediately and a concrete plan of action will be formulated for the restoration of peace and order in the affected areas, as well as for the possible and early resolution of public demands.

The government has made it clear that any legal or constitutional issue will be resolved in accordance with the law and the constitution, and the recommendations received will be implemented as soon as possible.