ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD: On Wednesday, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq jointly addressed a press conference regarding the recent protests initiated by the Awami Action Committee.
Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry explained that the Awami Action Committee had announced a peaceful demonstration scheduled for September 29. However, instead of remaining peaceful, the protest turned violent. He added that the Prime Minister had established a committee to address the issues raised and had tasked Amir Muqam and himself with leading negotiations.
“The Prime Minister instructed us to consider and accept the legitimate demands of the Awami Action Committee. Approximately 90 percent of their demands have been met, including the withdrawal of legal cases, reinstatement of suspended government employees, and decisions related to wheat supplies, electricity, and local government matters,” he stated.
He acknowledged that two demands abolishing refugee seats and reducing the number of ministers necessitated constitutional amendments, which would be addressed separately. Despite fulfilling most of the demands, he expressed regret that violence still broke out.“Such acts of violence have resulted in the tragic loss of lives. Violence is never the answer in a beautiful valley like ours,” Dr. Tariq Fazal emphasized, advocating that issues should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means.
AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq also voiced sorrow over the casualties, stating that three police officers had been martyred and over 150 individuals injured, including eight critically.
He reaffirmed the government’s willingness to hold talks at any location be it Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, or Kotli to break the deadlock. “Negotiations lasted for 13 hours; they were not unsuccessful but reached an impasse,” he clarified. The Prime Minister condemned the violence, including the burning of a school, and called on the Awami Action Committee to suspend protests temporarily to facilitate the resumption of dialogue.
