A second round of negotiations took place in Muzaffarabad between the government and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The talks aim to end the ongoing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). These discussions follow a breakdown last week over demands about elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees.
The unrest has led to violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement, resulting in at least 10 deaths and many injuries. Rival groups have blamed each other for the violence, which started as a peaceful movement. The government sent a high-level delegation for talks on Thursday, followed by today’s fresh round.
Read more: PM Shehbaz asks AJK Protesters to end Protest
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed the negotiations on social media. He said the government supports the rights of Kashmir’s people and has accepted most demands in the public interest. However, constitutional amendments are still needed to meet some remaining demands.
The minister stressed that violence is not a solution and expressed hope for peaceful dialogue to resolve all issues. The negotiating team includes senior leaders such as Raja Pervez Ashraf, Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal, and others. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged an immediate and lasting solution to the crisis.
Read more: Govt Negotiating Committee Reaches Muzaffarabad to Defuse AJK
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the violence and excessive force used during protests. It criticized communication blackouts and called for respect of peaceful protest rights. HRCP plans to send a fact-finding mission to assess the situation and urged inclusive negotiations by both governments.