Muzaffarabad: Talks between the federal government’s negotiation team and the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee ended without a breakthrough late Saturday, leaving the JAAC’s June 9 strike call firmly in place.
The meeting, held in Muzaffarabad, reportedly stretched for more than nine hours. Both sides discussed nearly all points in JAAC’s charter of demands, but the deadlock remained over the proposed abolition of 12 Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly seats reserved for Pakistan-based refugees from Indian-held Kashmir.
JAAC leaders said the strike would go ahead as planned, accusing the government of failing to implement earlier commitments. The planned protest is expected to include a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike across AJK.
Federal adviser Rana Sanaullah, however, insisted the talks had “not failed” and said efforts would continue before June 9. Officials have also floated the idea of an all-parties conference to build consensus on the refugee seats issue.
The dispute has now become more than a routine negotiation. AJK elections are expected in late July, and prolonged unrest could disrupt political activity, campaigning and administrative preparations.
JAAC has argued that the reserved seats question is tied to constitutional rights, public representation and the region’s political structure. The group also says its movement covers wider issues, including state resources, employment, education, refugee policy and land allotments.
Earlier rounds of talks had focused on implementing a 37-point agreement reached after last year’s protests over inflation, electricity tariffs and wheat subsidies. Government officials say many points have been implemented or are under process, but JAAC says the core promises remain unresolved.
For now, the pressure is back on the government. Unless a fresh round of talks produces something concrete, June 9 could bring AJK to a standstill again.
