AJK strike ends after talks yield deal

The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Sunday ended its four-day wheel-jam and shutter-down strike in the region and withdrew its long march call for January 23 following successful negotiations with the state government.

The JAAC had demanded withdrawal of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024, and release of its arrested workers among other things. Following the talks, JAAC chief Shaukat Nawaz Mir and AJK minister Nisar Ansar Abdali signed a 12-point agreement on Sunday.

The AJK President Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry had already instructed the government on Saturday to withdraw the controversial ordinance that sparked widespread protests in the region.

On Sunday, the law department issued the notification regarding the withdrawal of the ordinance.

A copy of the notification, approved by AJK President Chaudhry, was handed over to the JAAC leaders in Kohala, who later went to Barrarkot where the top leadership was holding the protest. After that the JAAC leadership ended its protest.

As per the agreement with the government, the JAAC leadership announced that its arrested workers had been released, while all the cases against the group's activists, except 50, would be withdrawn within 90 days in accordance with the law.

The agreement stated that sacked government employee Sohaib Arif would be reinstated, a brother of deceased JAAC supporter Azhar would be provided a government job and Rs1 million compensation each would be paid to the four injured people within seven days.

Among other points, it was agreed that the quality of flour and its availability would be improved according to the public needs, while a formula was agreed regarding electricity bills. Moreover, electricity meters would be purchased through e-tender in the next financial year.