PM urges AJK govt, political leadership to resolve issues through dialogue

In a message on social media platform X today, he said he has talked to Prime Minister Azad Kashmir and directed the PML-N office bearers in AJK to talk to leaders of action committee.

Expressing deep concern over the situation in Azad Kashmir, Shehbaz Sharif said discussions and peaceful protests are beauty of democracy, but there should be no tolerance for taking law into hands and damaging government properties.

He expressed the hope that despite political point scoring and efforts of detractors, the matter will be settled soon.

The Prime Minister lamented how some elements always rush in situations of dissent to score political points.

Earlier, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said that the government was ready to give related relief in electricity and wheat flour prices after violent protests.

"The government held negotiations with the Awami Action Committee (AAC) and we reached to an agreement which we are determined to implement," assured PM Haq.

Speaking about the incident, PM Haq said that a cop was martyred due to the protests, however, the AJK police are showing patience during the siege and arson.

"We are ready to talk with AAC at any level and the demands related to the Government of Pakistan will be raised before the federation," said the prime minister.

The AJK PM said that the AAC announced a long march for their demands, however, there were some miscreants among the protestors. "The government ensured that no force was used during the protest," he said.

The premier said that public security was their priority and the AJK administration showed patience, adding that propaganda was being spread on social media.

PM Haq assured that in order to provide relief in wheat flour and electricity prices, the government will even slash the development budget if they have to.

AJK protestsThe AAC called for a shutter down and wheel-jam strike across the state to protest the electricity price hike and taxes. However, the situation escalated as the protestors and police clashed.

A sub-inspector was killed while dozens other policemen and protesters also got injured during the teargas shelling by the police and stone pelting by the demonstrators.

The violent protesters damaged multiple vehicles, including a magistrate’s car at the Poonch-Kotli road. Moreover, markets, trade centres, offices and schools and restaurants remained closed across the AJK.

Police also launched a crackdown against the protesters after the events of violence, arresting dozens of individuals in the AJK capital.

On Friday, more than 40 people, including 11 policemen, were injured as a result of stone pelting and clashes.

The AJK government had banned public gatherings, rallies, and processions in all districts in the wake of AAC protests, with Section 144 imposed in the entire region.