MUZAFFARABAD:
The Government’s negotiation committee, formed in the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the Awami Action Committee of Cashmiro (JAAC) reached a consensus on an agreement on Friday, and the final document is expected to be signed soon.
The Federal Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that the round of conclusive conversations was underway, saying that “the public interest and peace are still our main priorities.”
The planning minister, Ahsan Iqbal, praised the progress as a “victory for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and for democracy.” He said that under the supervision of the Minister of Cashmir Affairs, a permanent committee has been constituted to supervise the implementation of the agreement.
Iqbal elaborated that the committee would be convened every 15 days to review the progress of the demands. In addition, a panel of constitutional experts has formed to examine the issue of refugee seats in the legislature.
“The Constitutional Expert Committee will review all aspects of the matter and make an acceptable decision for all. This is a constitutional problem, and will not be hurried,” Iqbal said.
The second round of conversations between the Federal Government’s negotiation team and the JAAC resumed around noon on Friday.
The Islamabad team, led by the Federal Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, maintained detailed discussions with the members of JAAC earlier in the day.
However, after several hours, the leaders of the Awami Action Committee left the place and went to Kohala, where thousands of protesters, mainly from the Poonch division, have camped for days.
The leaders said they would consult with other members and supporters of the committee before announcing their next course of action.
Chaudhry published in X (previously Twitter) that “positive progress” had been achieved and several problems were discussed. However, speaking separately in a television news channel, the leader of PML-N senior Rana Sanaullah clarified that so far no “final consensus” had been achieved with the JAAC.
In Kohala, the leader of the Shaukat Nawaz Mir Action Committee addressed the protesters, urging them to remain patient until internal consultations were completed. “We deliberate separately, and once we reach a consensus, we will present it before you for approval,” he told the crowd.
The confrontation has effectively closed daily life in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The stores remain closed, the commercial activity has stopped and the Internet and mobile services are suspended.
Public and private transport also remained out of the roads, with protesters blocking the main point of entry in Kohala that unites Ause with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The long convoys of protesters extend from Kohala Chowk to Dhirkot, directed by Jaac Sardar Umar Nazir of Rawalakot.
The riots have also caused manifestations of solidarity throughout the country and abroad. On Friday, the members of the Cashmiro community organized protests in front of the press clubs of Karachi and Lahore, condemning the repression of the government against the protesters in AJK.
Meanwhile, HRCP, in a position in X, said it was deeply alarmed by current violence in AJK, where, according to reports, at least nine people, including three police officers, have lost their lives and hundreds have been injured during protests.
“We firmly condemn the use of excessive force and deaths of civilians and agents of the law equally, as well as communication blackouts. Although dialogue is essential, it cannot be significant amid the continuous political deprivation of the people of the region.”
The commission said that the right to peaceful protest must be confirmed and complaints about transparently.
“We urge federal governments and AJK to avoid greater escalation, respect the fundamental rights of people and commit to genuine and inclusive negotiations. To this end, HRCP intends to send a research mission to AJK as soon as possible to evaluate the situation,” he said.
