The federal government and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) administration have urged the Public Action Committee to resume negotiations. Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq made the appeal during a press conference. They reminded protesters that 90% of their demands were already accepted during earlier talks. These demands were agreed upon in writing, with guarantees from federal representatives. They said continued protests were unnecessary and harmful to public order.
Talks broke down when the committee demanded constitutional changes in AJK. These included reducing cabinet size and ending refugee seats. Officials explained that such changes require constitutional amendments, which cannot happen overnight. Due to this deadlock, protests resumed across various districts on 29 September. The government insists that most issues were resolved and only legal procedures remain. Still, the committee restarted demonstrations despite previous progress.
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Initially, the protests were peaceful, but officials say they are now turning violent. They claim such actions harm public safety and block meaningful dialogue. The government warned that violence will not solve anything and may escalate tensions further. Both leaders stressed that unrest could lead to chaos and loss of life. Therefore, they asked the protesters to avoid aggressive tactics and return to the table.
PM Anwarul Haq said that only the state can use organised force under the law. He added that if citizens try to use pressure tactics, it leads to anarchy. Both leaders said violence is unacceptable and called for a peaceful path forward. They reaffirmed their commitment to solving all issues through mutual understanding. The offer to resume talks remains open from both governments.
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In closing, the government appealed to protesters to restore calm and restart negotiations. They emphasised the need to avoid conflict and maintain law and order. The leaders warned that emotional decisions could lead to greater harm. They assured the committee that the remaining demands could be reviewed legally. Lastly, they called on all parties to act responsibly for the good of the people.