News Desk
ISLAMABAD : A high-level government delegation on Thursday held talks with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir to address its grievances.
The development came a day after three policemen among nine people were killed during the deadly protests in the AJK.
The government’s delegation includes Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal ministers Sardar Yusuf, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Ahsan Iqbal, former president of AJK Masood Khan, and PPP’s Qamar Zaman Kaira.
Talking to journalists, Sanaullah said: “We have come here to listen to the demands of the friends of the action committee.”
He maintained that the premier had instructed to discuss the “legitimate demands” with the action committee.
“The Prime Minister has instructed [us] to sit together and find solutions to the problems,” the senator added.
Earlier, expressing deep concern over the unfortunate incidents during the protests in the AJK, PM Shehbaz ordered a transparent probe into the matter and directed the provision of immediate assistance to the affected families.
In a statement, the prime minister said that peaceful protest was a constitutional and democratic right of every citizen, but the protesters should refrain from harming public order.
“Government is always ready to resolve the issues of its Kashmiri brothers,” he assured.
The AJK government, in a statement, said that nearly 172 police personnel were injured in the protests, with the condition of 12 reported as critical. Around 50 civilians also sustained injuries amid the violent demonstrations.
The PAC has issued a 38-point charter of demands, including ending 12 reserved seats for refugees and rolling back “privileges of the elite”, The News reported.
Taking notice of the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to the protesters to remain peaceful, assuring the resolution of their issues and committing to personally overseeing the negotiation process.
He directed the law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and patience with the protesters, ensuring respect for public sentiments and avoiding any unnecessary harshness.
Premier Shehbaz also expanded the negotiation committee to find a peaceful resolution to the issue and included federal ministers Sardar Yusuf and Ahsan Iqbal, Senator Rana Sanaullah, former AJK president Masood Khan, and Qamar Zaman Kaira in the body.
