- Premier Shehbaz hails AJK accord as ‘victory for peace, dialogue and democracy, saying conspiracies stand buried as issues resolved amicably
- Tariq Fazal Ch calls agreement triumph for ‘peace, Kashmir and Pakistan,’ saying prosperity of AJK people top priority
- High-level federal delegation finalises 12-point pact in Muzaffarabad with JAAC 15-day follow-up mechanism
- Families of victims to get compensation and jobs within 20 days with Ahsan Iqbal calls accord milestone for good governance and reform
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday welcomed the signing of an agreement between the federal government’s negotiation committee and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), describing it as a “victory for peace, dialogue, and the people of both Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan.”
The prime minister appreciated the efforts of Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and members of the high-level committee for concluding a peaceful settlement, saying “all conspiracies and rumours now stand buried and issues have been resolved amicably.”
He termed the accord a positive step for Pakistan and AJK, adding that the “restoration of peace and normalcy is a good gesture.” The premier reaffirmed that the government was “ever ready to resolve the issues of our Kashmiri brethren” and assured that their rights “had always been protected and would continue to be safeguarded.”
PM Shehbaz Sharif, who had earlier directed the committee to immediately travel to Muzaffarabad, said the government would always stand by the people of Kashmir. He urged citizens not to pay heed to rumours, emphasizing that “public service and welfare are among the top priorities of this government.”
‘Victory for peace, for Kashmir, and for Pakistan’
Speaking to the media after returning from Muzaffarabad, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry termed the signing of the pact a “victory for peace, for Kashmir, and for Pakistan.”
He said the JAAC had launched protests over public-interest and governance issues in AJK, which unfortunately led to clashes and the tragic loss of three lives, including both police personnel and protesters. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased,” he said, adding that the federal government intervened promptly to prevent further violence.
Dr Fazal said that a high-level delegation—comprising Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interprovincial Coordination Senator Rana Sanaullah, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yousaf, former Adviser on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, former AJK President Masood Ahmed Khan, and former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf—was constituted to hold negotiations with the JAAC.
“We stayed in AJK for two days and held three rounds of detailed discussions,” he said, noting that the demands raised were “purely in the public interest.” The delegation, he added, sought Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s guidance and was fully authorized to make commitments on behalf of the federal government.
“Despite financial challenges, the prime minister assured us that the required funds—amounting to billions of rupees—would be provided to address AJK’s immediate issues,” he said.
Key features of the agreement
Dr Chaudhry shared the text of the agreement on the social media platform X, noting that it contained 12 decisions and 13 additional points agreed upon by both sides.
Under the pact, FIRs will be registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for incidents of violence resulting in deaths of law enforcement officials and protesters, with judicial commissions appointed where necessary.
Families of those killed during the October 1–2, 2025 incidents will be granted monetary benefits equivalent to law enforcement agencies, while injured individuals will receive Rs1 million each. Additionally, one family member of each deceased person will be given a government job within 20 days.
The government’s negotiating team included Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Amir Muqam, Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal, Sardar Yousaf, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Masood Ahmed Khan, and Raja Pervez Ashraf. Representing the AJK government were Education Minister Diwan Ali Chughtai and Local Government Minister Faisal Rathore, while Raja Amjad, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, and Anjum Zaman Awan signed on behalf of the JAAC.
Commitment to development and reform
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said the agreement reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to AJK’s prosperity. He said the discussions were guided by the interests of both AJK and Pakistan and would help advance social and economic development.
He emphasized that weaknesses in administrative structures often caused public frustration and must be addressed through good governance reforms. “This accord is proof that in a true democracy, disputes are resolved through dialogue, not violence,” he said.
Qamar Zaman Kaira said the pact demonstrated the government’s sincerity, noting that a 15-day follow-up mechanism had been established to ensure timely implementation. Regular review meetings would be held to prevent future grievances, he added.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engr Amir Muqam said the successful outcome reflected the “dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” adding that “hostile elements wanted bloodshed, but their designs were foiled.”
Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said the government had accepted the JAAC’s legitimate demands and urged unity, saying, “Hatred leads to destruction; love solves problems.” He reaffirmed that the government remained committed to peace, progress, and the welfare of Kashmiris.
Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah said the high-level committee had successfully fulfilled the prime minister’s directives. He announced that a monitoring committee, co-led by Amir Muqam and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, would meet every 15 days to ensure implementation.
“Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan,” he said, adding that the government would never allow unrest in the region. “Enemies expecting chaos have been disappointed—peace and cooperation have prevailed.”
Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry concluded that the agreement symbolized a “victory for democracy, dialogue, and the enduring bond between Pakistan and Kashmir.”
