Islamabad / Muzaffarabad — The federal government and the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) administration have invited the Joint Action Committee (JAAC) to resume negotiations in a bid to de-escalate unrest that turned deadly this week. Three police personnel were killed and more than 100 people were injured during protests on Wednesday.
A three-day shutdown and communications blackout have paralysed daily life in parts of AJK as the JAAC insists on its demands. Talks between federal ministers and the committee last week reached an impasse over issues including reserved seats for migrants and proposals to reduce the number of ministries — items that, officials say, would require constitutional amendments.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, speaking alongside AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, said 90 percent of the committee’s demands had already been accepted in principle and documented, and that both Islamabad and Muzaffarabad stand ready to implement them. He said the remaining two contentious demands prompted a deadlock because they would necessitate changes to AJK’s constitution.
Dr. Tariq urged the JAAC to return to the table, stressing that violence achieves nothing. AJK Prime Minister Anwarul Haq likewise called for talks to resume from the point where they broke down, expressed condolences for the slain police officers and warned against further anarchy.
Both governments reiterated willingness to negotiate and appealed for peaceful protests while work continues to find a political solution through dialogue.
