Efforts of the government committee are ongoing to stop the violent protests in Azad Kashmir. The second round of talks with the Joint Action Committee will take place today. A decisive announcement is expected.
Federal ministers have appealed to the protesters to remain peaceful. Ahsan Iqbal said that the enemy country does not take long to take advantage of instability. We want peace in Azad Kashmir, the effort is to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Amir Maqam said that the talks were held in a good atmosphere. Consensus exists on many issues. Qamar Zaman Kaira said we are with the protesters on legitimate demands. The Prime Minister himself is looking into the matter. We are your representatives. We will not disappoint you.
It is to be noted that despite repeated offers of negotiations from the government, violent protests in Azad Kashmir could not be stopped. Taking cover under the protests of the Public Action Committee, miscreants yesterday again held the law at gunpoint.
Violent actions of miscreants under the cover of Public Action Committee protests are continuously ongoing. Miscreants attacked police personnel, hit with nail-studded sticks, snatched weapons and fired bullets. After attacking and torturing the police, they snatched weapons and other equipment.
The angry protesters also targeted Islamabad Police personnel. Injured officials reported that the miscreants took them hostage and tore their uniforms. They hit them with stones and nail-studded sticks. After snatching weapons, they opened fire on the police. 31 Federal Police personnel and 12 Azad Kashmir Police personnel had to be shifted to PIMS Hospital.
Riots took place in several districts including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Rawalakot. Due to violent protests and demonstrations, daily life in the valley is badly affected.
Protesters’ Key Demands
Reduction in electricity tariffs, subsidy on wheat flour, free healthcare and education facilities. These demands are aimed at relief from inflation and poverty, as electricity bills in the region have reached sky-high levels.
Abolishing perks for government officials such as vehicles, staff, bodyguards, and unlimited fuel, so that resources are used more fairly.
Abolishing the 12 seats in the Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees (those who migrated from Indian Kashmir in 1947), which locals see as an occupation of development funds and political power. In addition, a guarantee of greater autonomy and rights, such as reforms in education, healthcare, employment, quotas, and the justice system.
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The government has agreed to 36 out of 38 demands, but there is a deadlock on two contentious points—abolishing refugee seats and ending ruling-class privileges. Protesters have declared that they will continue their demonstrations until all demands are met.
Pakistan’s economy is already in severe crisis, and Azad Kashmir receives heavy subsidies (for example, electricity tariffs are already lower, and the number of taxpayers is less than 5,000).
Economic demands (such as subsidies and free facilities) would require additional federal budget allocations, which is not possible under the current circumstances. Political demands, particularly abolishing the 12 reserved seats, require constitutional amendments, as these seats are based on the 1947 migration and their abolition could weaken federal control—posing a risk to Pakistan’s Kashmir policy. Government ministers say such changes cannot happen overnight and require assembly approval, which is a matter of time and political consensus.
