PM praises AJK deal restoring peace, protecting Kashmiri rights

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised members of the federal government negotiation committee and the Joint Action Committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir for signing an agreement to resolve all outstanding issues.

In a statement, the Prime Minister said the agreement is a major achievement for Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), restoring peace to safeguard the rights of the Kashmiri people.

“All conspiracies and rumours now stand buried, and issues have been resolved amicably,” he added, congratulating the negotiators for their efforts in establishing peace.

“We have always protected their rights, and in the future, their rights will continue to be ensured,” he said, urging the people of Kashmir not to pay heed to rumours.

Ahsan Iqbal hails agreement

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal welcomed the agreement, calling it a "victory" for the people of AJK, Pakistan, and democracy.

Read: AJK reels as 9 killed in protest violence

Posting on X, he said the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have always stood at the frontlines of Pakistan’s national cause, and their voice carries immense weight.

Iqbal noted that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) raised the voice of citizens, and the government, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, took these concerns seriously.

The standoff in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) began after the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) called for a strike demanding reforms and public facilities, paralyzing daily life as markets shut, roads were blocked, and communications were suspended.

Violence erupted across towns, including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Dhir Kot, leaving at least nine people dead, including three policemen, with hundreds injured.

Armed confrontations were reported between protesters and security forces, while solidarity demonstrations were staged across Pakistan. Following, the federal government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz, formed a high-level negotiation committee including senior ministers and former AJK leaders.

Read More: Consensus nears in Kashmir standoff but protests refuse to ease

Multiple rounds of talks were held with the JAAC, focusing on unresolved issues such as refugee assembly seats and the number of ministers. A permanent review committee and a panel of constitutional experts have been set up to monitor the agreement and ensure that constitutional matters are addressed fairly.

The oversight body will meet every "15 days" to track progress, while the expert panel examines unresolved legal issues. Authorities urged calm, stressing that peaceful protest is a constitutional right but must not disrupt public order.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Amnesty International called for impartial investigations into the clashes, highlighting the risks posed by communication blackouts and misinformation.

With most demands already addressed in prior negotiations, the final agreement was signed, offering a pathway to restoring normalcy in the region.