Govt opens dialogue to defuse AJK crisis | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- Negotiations between the JAAC and the federal government delegation in AJK temporarily stalled.
- The JAAC demanded the lifting of the communication blackout and restoration of mobile/internet services before resuming talks.
- The ongoing protests have led to violence, with the government confirming at least nine deaths from Wednesday's clashes.
- Federal negotiators expressed optimism about resolving the crisis through dialogue, while urging an end to street confrontations.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered security forces to show restraint and directed investigations into reported incidents.
Negotiations aimed at defusing the ongoing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) between the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and a federal government team temporarily stalled on Thursday. The JAAC halted discussions until the government lifts the communication blackout and restores mobile and internet services, citing the need for internal consultations. Despite the pause, federal negotiators, including Ahsan Iqbal and Amir Muqam, maintained an optimistic outlook, stressing that problems should be resolved through dialogue rather than confrontation on the streets. AJK is currently paralyzed by a protest strike, which escalated into violence on Wednesday, resulting in at least nine confirmed deaths, including three policemen, though the JAAC claims a higher toll. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif dispatched the high-level committee, instructing law enforcement to exercise restraint and avoid unnecessary force while ordering relief for affected families. The situation remains volatile as convoys continue long marches toward Muzaffarabad, encountering roadblocks, and international groups like Amnesty International have urged the government to protect the right to peaceful assembly.
