Federal Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has refuted media reports claiming that Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Anwarul Haq is being removed from office for his alleged lackluster response to the recent unrest in the region.
Speaking to reporters in the federal capital, Chaudhry said there was no truth to reports of the AJK chief minister’s dismissal, adding that neither a resignation nor any such move was being considered. Furthermore, he stated that no movement has been made in this regard.
وزیراعظم آزاد کشمیر کو ہٹائے جانے یا ان کے استعفی کے خبروں میں کوئی صداقت نہیں ہے pic.twitter.com/xTPeZPKqRx
— Dr. Tariq Fazal Ch. (@DrTariqFazal) October 8, 2025
Earlier, there were numerous reports that a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to remove the AJK Prime Minister from office.
A section of media reported that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan People’s Party would form a joint strategy for the future, following consultations held during the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.
The decision to remove the AJK chief minister was reportedly made due to his lackluster response to the recent unrest in the region, reports said, adding that he failed to restore normalcy during the unrest, prompting the federal government to intervene and calm tensions through negotiations with local leaders.
Read more: Protests in Azad Kashmir turn deadly: 9 dead, including 3 policemen in violent clashes
AJK has witnessed violent protests that have claimed nine lives and left dozens injured. Calm was finally restored after a government committee held successful negotiations with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
The tense situation in AJK persisted for about a week, as the JAAC observed a shutdown strike demanding reforms and better public services in the region.
During the strike, AJK experienced a communications blackout and incidents of violence were reported in Dhirkot and other areas. According to official figures, 172 police officers and 50 civilians were injured in the clashes.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the government formed a two-member committee comprising Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engr Amir Muqam to hold talks with JAAC leaders in Muzaffarabad.
The JAAC presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the elimination of the quota system.
“Historic” 25-point agreement to calm tension
After days of protests and tensions in AJK, a breakthrough was achieved last week when the federal government, the AJK administration and the JAAC reached an agreement in what leaders hailed as a “historic agreement”.
The agreement covers 12 basic points and 13 additional points. Among the key provisions, families of those killed in the October 1-2 violence will be given compensation equivalent to that of security personnel and given government jobs, while those injured will receive Rs 1 million each.
A judicial commission will be constituted to investigate incidents of violence. Two new educational councils will be created in Muzaffarabad and Poonch, linked to the federal council in Islamabad. Victims of the Mangla dam expansion project will be given possession of the land within 30 days. The amendments to the Local Government Act 1990 will be enacted within 90 days.
Within 15 days, AJK government will release funds for health cards and MRI and CT scan machines will be provided in all districts. The federal government will provide Rs 10 billion to improve AJK’s power system.
Also read: AJK action committee matters resolved, agreement to be signed soon: Tariq Fazal Chaudhry
The AJK cabinet will be capped at 20 ministers and advisors, while the number of secretaries will not exceed 20. The accountability office and anti-corruption department will be merged and aligned with NAB laws. Feasibility studies will be carried out for two tunnels on Kahori/Kamser and Chaplani Neelum roads.
A high-level committee will examine the issue of refugee assemblymen, whose benefits and funds will be suspended until the final report. All Kashmiris arrested during the protests on October 2 and 3 will be released.
The additional clauses included judicial investigations into incidents in Banjosa, Muzaffarabad, Palandri, Dhirkot, Mirpur and Rawalakot, establishment of a timeline for the Mirpur International Airport project, harmonization of property transfer taxes with Punjab and KP, completion of feasibility studies for major water supply schemes and establishment of operating theaters and day care centers in Tehsil headquarters hospitals along with New bridge projects.
Prime Minister Shehbaz welcomed the success of the negotiation process in Azad Kashmir. Paying tribute to the members of the negotiation committee, the prime minister praised their individual and collective efforts and termed the development as a “great achievement for Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.”
