- Federal Minister, part of govt’s delegation in Muzaffarabad, shares on X, ‘matters between the two sides have been settled’
- Says ‘the final agreement is expected to be signed soon as final round of negotiations is underway’
SLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Friday night announced that the final round of negotiations with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had begun and an agreement was expected to be signed soon, raising hopes for an amicable end to the unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The federal minister, part of the government’s delegation in Muzaffarabad, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share that “matters between the two sides have been settled” and that “the final agreement is expected to be signed soon [and] the final round of negotiations is underway”. He added, “Public interests and peace are our priority.”
ایکشن کمیٹی آزاد جموں و کشمیر (AJK) سے معاملات طے پا گئے ہیں۔ جلد حتمی معاہدے پر دستخط متوقع ہیں۔ مذاکرات کا آخری دور جاری ہے۔ عوامی مفادات اور امن ہماری ترجیح ہیں۔
— Dr. Tariq Fazal Ch. (@DrTariqFazal) October 3, 2025
Talks between the JAAC, the AJK government and federal ministers had earlier broken down over issues related to elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees, triggering rival protests and violent clashes. What began as a largely peaceful movement in AJK turned bloody after confrontations between protesters and law enforcers, leaving at least 10 people dead and scores critically injured.
اب تک مذاکرات میں مثبت پیش رفت سامنے آئی ہے اور حتمی دورِ مذاکرات جاری ہے۔
— Dr. Tariq Fazal Ch. (@DrTariqFazal) October 3, 2025
Fresh talks, cautious optimism
A fresh round of talks was held on Thursday, followed by another session on Friday. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who is also part of the negotiating team, said the government was “very close” to reaching an agreement with the JAAC.
Speaking on a TV channel, Iqbal said members of the delegation, representing both the PML-N and PPP, had achieved near consensus with the civil society-led JAAC.
“Both sides are currently studying the proposal,” he said, expressing optimism that the agreement would be signed shortly. Calling it “a victory for Pakistan and AJK,” the planning minister said attempts to sow discord had been defeated. He also credited the JAAC leadership for agreeing to dialogue.
“This entire episode should serve as a lesson for our system of governance,” Iqbal remarked. “If we cannot respond to the changing dynamics of our society, gaps will be exploited. We have to be more responsive.”
Earlier, Chaudhry had said that most JAAC demands had already been accepted as they were in the public interest, while “constitutional amendments” were required to meet the remaining ones. Stressing that “violence is not the solution to any problem,” he expressed hope that the Action Committee would resolve issues peacefully.
مظفرآباد میں وزیراعظم پاکستان میاں محمد شہباز شریف کی ہدایت پر بھیجی گئی ہماری مذاکراتی ٹیم اور جوائنٹ ایکشن کمیٹی آزاد جموں و کشمیر کے نمائندگان کے درمیان مذاکرات کا دوسرا دور اب شروع ہو گیا ہے۔
ہم کشمیری عوام کے حقوق کے مکمل حامی ہیں۔ اُن کے زیادہ تر مطالبات، جو عوامی مفاد میں… pic.twitter.com/8tsQXea0Ea— Dr. Tariq Fazal Ch. (@DrTariqFazal) October 3, 2025
Government’s negotiating team
The federal government’s committee comprises PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf, Senator Rana Sanaullah, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yousaf, Adviser to PM on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, Masood Ahmed, Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam, and Chaudhry himself.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the committee to immediately proceed to Muzaffarabad and work on an “immediate and lasting solution” to the turmoil. A shutter-down strike has paralysed life across AJK under a communications blackout since the start of the week, with the JAAC continuing to press its demands.
HRCP expresses alarm
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it was “deeply alarmed” by the situation, reporting that at least nine people, including three police officers, had lost their lives and hundreds were injured during protests.
“We strongly condemn the use of excessive force and the deaths of civilians and law enforcers alike as well as communication blackouts,” HRCP said on X.
HRCP is deeply alarmed by the ongoing violence in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), where reportedly at least nine people, including three police officers, have lost their lives and hundreds have been injured during protests. We strongly condemn the use of excessive force and the…
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) October 3, 2025
It underlined that while dialogue was essential, “it cannot be meaningful amid continued political disenfranchisement of the region’s people.” The HRCP called for respecting the right to peaceful protest and pledged to send a fact-finding mission to AJK soon.
FO defends AJK’s democratic rights
Separately, the Foreign Office (FO) stressed that the people of AJK “freely enjoy their civil and political rights” and actively participate in shaping their democratic future. “Pakistan remains firmly committed to upholding their dignity and safeguarding their rights, including the right to peaceful assembly and protest,” it said.
🔊PR No.2️⃣9️⃣8️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Press Release
🔗⬇️https://t.co/rCT6WlMkx4 pic.twitter.com/YGEAE73GqS
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 3, 2025
The FO contrasted the situation in AJK with Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where it said “brute force, denial of freedoms, and systematic human rights violations” remain the norm. It accused India of demographic engineering and silencing dissent, urging New Delhi to honour its obligations under international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
“Pakistan believes that the path to lasting peace and stability in South Asia lies in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute,” the FO reiterated.
