Pakistan-administered Kashmir PM calls for dialogue after deadly protests

The Prime Minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PAK), Anwaarul Haq, on Wednesday called for renewed talks with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) following violent clashes between protesters and security forces that left at least three police officers dead and scores injured.

The JAAC, a coalition of political and civil society groups, has been pressing demands related to electricity tariffs, wheat prices, local government powers, and jobs. The protests, now in their fourth consecutive day, have prompted a heavy police deployment and raised fears of wider unrest across Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The unrest has disrupted daily life and raised concerns about broader instability in the region.

Speaking alongside Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry at a press conference, Haq described dialogue as the “only way forward” to resolve the crisis. Chaudhry, who along with Federal Minister Ameer Maqam held 12-hour negotiations with JAAC leaders earlier this week, said the government had agreed to “90% of JAAC’s demands,” including the withdrawal of protest-related cases, reinstatement of government employees, and concessions on wheat and electricity prices.

He also confirmed that jobs would be provided to the family of a protester killed during earlier demonstrations.

“We only differed on two demands - removing assembly seats for refugees and allocating government jobs for them - because these require constitutional amendments,” Chaudhry told reporters. “Given that most issues have been addressed, there was no need for further protests.”

Haq acknowledged the ongoing violence despite progress in talks. “Three policemen have died, eight are critically injured, and more than 150 have been wounded,” he said, warning that “international enemies of Pakistan are exploiting the situation.” He offered to meet JAAC representatives in Rawalakot, Kotli, Muzaffarabad or other locations to continue dialogue.

JAAC core committee member Shokat Nawaz Mir, however, accused security forces of killing three protesters during a long march organized by the committee. Speaking to demonstrators in Muzaffarabad, Mir called for calm but cautioned that the movement would defend itself if attacked again.

“We have about 10,000 to 12,000 people gathered here, with thousands more across the region,” Mir said. “Our martyrs fought for the rights of the poor, and we will not allow their blood to be politicized.”