MUZAFFARABAD: The government’s negotiation committee and the Awami Action Committee have successfully reached an agreement, bringing an end to the recent standoff in Azad Kashmir.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference held in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir, attended by members of both the government and the committee.
Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister and a member of the government’s negotiation team, said the matter had been resolved amicably and that the legitimate demands of the Awami Action Committee had been accepted.
He further announced the formation of a Legal Action Committee to address and implement the agreed matters, which will convene every 15 days.
Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said some elements were hoping to derail the process, but their plans had completely failed.
PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf emphasized that maintaining peace in Kashmir is a shared responsibility. “A committee has now been formed, and there is no longer any need for people to take to the streets. Any issues or grievances should be presented before the committee,” he said.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal described the accord as a victory for Pakistan, Azad Kashmir, and democracy. In a message posted on social media prior to the joint press conference, he said that recent public grievances had created a challenging situation, but the wisdom of local and national leadership and the spirit of dialogue ensured a peaceful resolution.
“There was no incitement to violence, no division — instead, a path forward was found through mutual respect,” he noted.
Federal Minister and member of the government’s negotiation committee, Tarik Fazal Chaudhry, announced that the government delegation has signed the final agreement with the Joint Action Committee, marking a significant breakthrough in resolving the recent crisis in Azad Kashmir.
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The development comes after days of negotiations between the government and protest leaders, culminating in a consensus that leaders on both sides hailed as a win for dialogue, stability, and democratic values.
The agreement reached between federal ministers and the Joint Action Committee includes key commitments on compensation and legal action following the recent unrest in Azad Kashmir.
Under the terms of the agreement, families of those who lost their lives on October 1 and 2 will receive compensation.
Additionally, cases related to deaths caused by violent incidents will be registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
It is worth noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had recently announced the formation of a high-level negotiation committee to address the situation in Azad Kashmir and find a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
