India’s bid to stir unrest in AJK foiled, says govt team after successful talks with JAAC

MUZAFFARABAD: The federal government’s negotiation team, which held talks with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), has said that the problems of the Kashmiri people would be addressed, stressing that violence is never a solution and India’s desire to see bloodshed in AJK will never be fulfilled.

Earlier on Saturday, the federal government announced that it has reached an agreementwith the JAAC to end days of unrest in AJK, following marathon talks aimed at defusing tensions that had gripped the region.

Addressing a joint press conference after successful talks with the JAAC, Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan’s enemies had wanted to see chaos and unrest in AJK, but their conspiracy had failed.

“We have emerged successful from this difficult phase — it is a victory for the people, for Pakistan, and for democracy,” he said.

He said that the talks were held in the interest of the people of Pakistan and AJK, and peace had now been restored. “The agreed steps will help advance AJK’s development agenda, which is also a key priority of the government,” he said.

Ahsan Iqbal noted that weaknesses in administrative structures — in AJK and other provinces — must not be ignored as they lead to public grievances. “We must address these issues urgently and make governance more effective through nationwide reforms,” he added.

He further said the public had become more aware due to media exposure and that expectations from the government had increased. “Despite economic challenges, we are committed to addressing people’s concerns within available resources,” he said.

Iqbal expressed hope that the successful agreement in AJK would strengthen peace and democracy. “True democracy allows protest and also encourages dialogue with an open heart,” he said, adding that democracy’s beauty lies in resolving differences through talks rather than chaos and violence.

He said the government would implement the agreed points with sincerity, adding that the newly formed 15-day monitoring mechanism would help prevent future grievances.

PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, another member of the committee, said the agreement had brought relief to the people of AJK after days of tension and violence that claimed precious lives. “Timely steps by the federal government ensured successful negotiations. Kashmir is Pakistan’s lifeline, and the problems of the Kashmiri people will be resolved,” he said.

He emphasized that violence never leads to solutions. “When movements turn violent, they lose their purpose. In democracy, public pressure is necessary to keep the system accountable, but violence only worsens matters,” Kaira said.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Amir Muqam said that India’s dream of bloodshed in AJK would never come true.

“Issues in AJK have been resolved amicably, and we are grateful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his leadership,” he said.

Muqam reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued support for the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir and their right to self-determination.

Committee member and former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said that whenever large gatherings occur, some hostile elements try to create chaos.

“Those who raised anti-state slogans had no link with the genuine protesters, as clarified during the talks,” he said.

He said, “Pakistan and Kashmir are inseparable — two bodies, one soul. We have taken immediate steps to resolve AJK’s pressing issues and devised a mechanism for the rest. Problems are solved through love, not hatred.”

Ashraf urged AJK residents to stay away from elements promoting unrest, saying, “No one can drive a wedge between Pakistan and Kashmir. We must all act responsibly and respect each other — our unity is our strength.”

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that peace had been restored through successful negotiations with the JAAC and that funds would be provided to address AJK’s pending issues.

The talks come after a four-day shutter-down strike and communications blackout that crippled AJK, as the JAAC continued to press its demands.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had expressed deep concern over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and ordered a transparent inquiry into the violent incidents. He had also appealed to the AJK citizens to remain peaceful.

At least 10 people have been killed and dozens critically injured in violent clashes between protesters and security forces in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, officials and local sources said.

Last week, negotiations between the JAAC and federal ministers deadlocked over issues relating to elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees.

Following the breakdown, JAAC staged protests and held authorities responsible for violence.