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Talks Resume Amid Deadly AJK Protests Over Privileges, Reserved Seats
At least 10 killed in AJK clashes as talks between JAAC & govt continue. HRCP warns of excessive force, blackout & disenfranchisement. PM Shehbaz urges lasting solution.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-03
Talks Resume Amid Deadly AJK Protests Over Privileges, Reserved Seats

Muzaffarabad/Islamabad: Efforts to end the unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) continue as a high-level government delegation held another round of talks with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), following deadly clashes that left at least 10 people dead and scores critically injured.

The protests, initially centered around elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees, spiraled into violent confrontations last week between demonstrators and law enforcers, marking one of the deadliest episodes of political unrest in the region in recent years.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, a member of the government’s committee, said on X that talks with JAAC representatives in Muzaffarabad had entered their second round.

“We fully support the rights of the people of Kashmir. Most of their demands, which were in public interest, have already been accepted,” he stated, adding that some remaining issues required constitutional amendments.

He stressed that violence was not the solution, expressing hope that the Action Committee would resolve its issues through peaceful dialogue.

The government’s negotiating team also includes senior figures such as Raja Pervez Ashraf, Senator Rana Sanaullah, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yousaf, Adviser Qamar Zaman Kaira, Masood Ahmed, and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the delegation to remain in Muzaffarabad until an immediate and lasting solution is found, voicing deep concern over the deteriorating situation.

Meanwhile, daily life in AJK has been paralyzed by a shutter-down strike and a communications blackout, which has cut off residents from regular contact and information flow.

HRCP Raises Alarm

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed grave concern, noting that at least nine people, including three police officers, had been killed and hundreds injured.

“We strongly condemn the use of excessive force and the deaths of civilians and law enforcers alike as well as communication blackouts,” HRCP said in a statement on X.

It underlined that dialogue must be transparent and inclusive, stressing that the right to peaceful protest must be protected. HRCP also announced plans to dispatch a fact-finding mission to assess the ground situation in AJK.

As talks remain ongoing, the deadlock has raised concerns that the unrest could further destabilize the already fragile region unless a compromise is reached soon.
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