ISLAMABAD: The federal government and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) governments have invited the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to resume talks.
Speaking at a joint press conference with AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the AJK government had accepted 90 per cent of the committee’s demands in the presence of federal representatives.
He said that he and Ameer Maqam had given assurances that those demands would be implemented.
Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that negotiators held talks with the JAAC for 12 hours but reached a deadlock over two demands — ending seats reserved for migrants and reducing the number of ministries in AJK — which would require amendments to the AJK constitution.
The JAAC began peaceful protests across AJK districts from September 29, he said, calling the demonstrations unnecessary because 90 per cent of the demands had already been accepted and documented in a written agreement.
“We did not break off talks,” Tariq Fazl said. “But their protest is no longer peaceful and has turned violent, and violence will achieve nothing. Violence is not the solution to any issue. We remain ready to resume negotiations and resolve this matter amicably.”
AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq said that negotiations were the only way to solve problems.
“Using anger as an organised force is something only the state or armed forces can do. If you try to incite people, that anger will lead to anarchy, chaos and loss of life,” he warned.
He urged the JAAC to return to the negotiating table, saying: “Ninety per cent of your demands have been approved. For the remaining 10 per cent, the federal and AJK governments invite you to talks. The path of violence leads nowhere — restore the negotiating process; we must avoid anarchy and bloodshed.”
Protests in AJK entered their third consecutive day on Wednesday, with shutter-down strike and wheel-jam protests continuing across the region.
Markets and public transport remained closed, while attendance in government offices remained negligible. Private schools also stayed shut in all districts.