Muzaffarabad: A high-level Pakistani delegation arrived in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday to initiate formal talks with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), aiming to end the region’s escalating unrest. The protest was triggered by the collapse of negotiations over elite privileges and reserved refugee seats, paralyzing AJK with a communications blackout.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed the opening of dialogue via an X post, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif deeply concerned over the turmoil directed the negotiating team to immediately address the crisis.
The negotiation committee comprises prominent figures including Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal ministers Sardar Yusuf, Ahsan Iqbal, former AJK President Masood Khan, and PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira. In images shared on X, several leadership figures including Amir Muqam and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf were seen participating in the dialogue session.
Prior to departing for Muzaffarabad, committee members in Islamabad underscored the urgent need for peace. Ahsan Iqbal cautioned that external forces might seek to exploit the unrest for their own agendas, while affirming the government’s commitment to resolving AJK’s grievances under constitutional law. Rana Sanaullah reiterated, violence is not the solution, and expressed confidence that meaningful engagement with JAAC would clear misunderstandings.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the Ministry of Interior convened an emergency meeting in Islamabad. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz appealed to AJK’s citizens to remain peaceful and urged law enforcement to show restraint. The PMO confirmed that three policemen were killed in the clashes. Shehbaz ordered transparent investigations, support for affected families, and said any proposed solutions from the negotiation committee should be promptly forwarded for implementation.