Government Delegation Holds Talks After AJK Unrest

Negotiations resumed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday after days of unrest that left several people dead and many others injured. A high-level government delegation, sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reached Muzaffarabad to open talks with representatives of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

High-Level Delegation

The eight-member team included senior political leaders and ministers such as Ahsan Iqbal, Amir Muqam, Rana Sanaullah, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Qamar Zaman Kaira, and others, along with AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq. They met JAAC representatives from Muzaffarabad, while members from other divisions were expected to join later.

According to sources, extended consultations continued into the night, with further dialogue scheduled for Friday morning.

Strikes and Communication Disruptions

For the fourth consecutive day, AJK observed a complete strike, with markets, transport, and routine business largely suspended. A communication blackout has also remained in place since Monday. While government offices and banks technically stayed open, attendance was thin, and many officials avoided official transport.

Government Calls for Peace

Before leaving Islamabad, committee members stressed that dialogue was the only way forward. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the government aimed to address the region’s concerns but cautioned that the situation should not be exploited by those seeking instability.

AJK Prime Minister Haq thanked PM Shehbaz for sending the delegation and expressed hope that the talks would help bridge differences. Rana Sanaullah also underlined that violence was “not a solution” and that matters should be resolved constitutionally.

The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement urging protesters to remain peaceful and asking law enforcement agencies to show restraint. PM Shehbaz expressed concern over recent clashes and ordered a transparent inquiry into the deaths reported during demonstrations.

Funerals and Demands

Earlier in the day, large crowds gathered in Muzaffarabad for funeral prayers of two individuals who lost their lives during the protests. JAAC leaders reiterated their demands, which include:

Ending reserved refugee seats,
Withdrawing elite privileges,
Implementing the 2019 High Court decision on power projects,
Providing health cards to citizens.

They also called for accountability over alleged excesses during demonstrations.

Next Steps

Talks between the government and JAAC are set to continue, with both sides expressing willingness to find common ground. Observers believe the coming days will be critical in determining whether the standoff can be peacefully resolved.