PM Shehbaz appeals for 'peace' as JAAC protests turn deadly in AJK

وزیر اعظم پاکستان شہباز شریف نے آزاد کشمیر کی صورتحال پر گہری تشویش کا اظہار کیا۔

وزیر اعظم نے شہریوں سے پُر امن رہنے کی زوردار اپیل کی ہے۔ وزیراعظم نے کہا کہ پرامن احتجاج ہر شہری کا آئینی و جمہوری حق ہے تاہم مظاہرین امن عامہ کو نقصان پہنچانے سے گریز کریں ۔

وزیراعظم نے ہدایت…

He directed law enforcement agencies to act with patience and restraint, ensuring public sentiments are respected and unnecessary force is avoided.

Read: AJK reels as 9 killed in protest violence

“Provoking people through civilian groups leads only to anarchy and needless tragedy,” the Prime Minister said, expressing grief over the loss of lives.

Rising tensions and government response

AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq extended an open invitation to the JAAC leadership for renewed talks.

He acknowledged that the JAAC had initially announced peaceful demonstrations but said the situation had “taken a dangerous turn.”

“Provoking people through civilian groups leads only to anarchy and needless tragedy. Taking one life is like taking the life of all humanity. We must avoid a path that brings more bloodshed,” Prime Minister Haq said, voicing grief over the loss of lives.

According to AJK government sources, six civilians and three police personnel were killed during clashes, with 172 police officers injured, including 12 critically, and 50 civilians wounded.

The casualties among police included Constable Khurshid and Constable Jameel from Bagh, and Constable Tahir Rafi from Muzaffarabad.

Armed JAAC members reportedly opened fire on police in Dhir Kot, while confrontations also occurred between protesters and supporters of the ruling Muslim Conference.

The JAAC’s strike and protests have paralyzed life across Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Poonch, Neelum, Bhimber, and Palandari, with markets closed, roads blocked, and internet and telecommunication services largely suspended. Protesters reportedly sealed all entry points linking Kashmir with Pakistan.

JAAC has presented a 38-point charter of demands, including the removal of perks for ruling elites, abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, free and uniform education, free healthcare, judicial reforms, establishment of an international airport, and scrapping of the quota system.

Both the federal and AJK governments had agreed to 90% of these demands in earlier negotiations, but disputes over remaining issues—particularly refugee assembly seats and the number of ministers—required constitutional amendments, prompting renewed agitation.

To pursue a peaceful resolution, Prime Minister Shehbaz expanded the government’s negotiation committee to include Senator Rana Sanaullah, Federal Ministers Sardar Yousaf and Ahsan Iqbal, former AJK President Masood Khan, and Qamar Zaman Kaira.

The committee has been directed to proceed to Muzaffarabad immediately, work out urgent and sustainable solutions, and submit recommendations to the PM Office without delay.

Read More: AJK strike over constitutional demands kills one, internet remains suspended

Prime Minister Shehbaz also announced that he would personally oversee the negotiation process upon his return.

He appealed to JAAC leaders to cooperate with the government’s team, noting that “the government is prepared to address all legitimate demands.”

Meanwhile, authorities have urged the public not to be misled by propaganda or fake news circulating on social media. Security forces have vowed legal action against anyone involved in rioting or vandalism. Both the federal and AJK governments continue to call for dialogue to de-escalate tensions and restore normalcy in the region.