Govt, JAAC Strike Deal to End AJK Unrest After Deadly Protests

MUZAFFARABAD – The federal government on Saturday signed an agreement with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), bringing an end to days of unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) that had turned violent and claimed at least 10 lives.

The deal followed two rounds of negotiations between the Centre, the AJK government and JAAC over a 38-point charter of demands. Talks had earlier collapsed when the JAAC pressed for scrapping elite privileges and abolishing 12 AJK Assembly seats reserved for refugees from India-held Kashmir.

Protests that began as shutter-down and wheel-jam strikes spiraled into clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement agencies (LEAs), leaving several dead and scores injured.

Key Points of the Agreement

Accountability and Compensation

• FIRs will be registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act over violent incidents that caused deaths of both protesters and LEA personnel, with judicial commissions formed where necessary.

• Families of those killed on Oct 1–2 will receive the same benefits as LEAs, a government job for one family member within 20 days, and Rs1 million compensation for those with gunshot injuries.

• Protesters arrested in Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Oct 2–3 will be released.

• مزاکراتی وفد اور جوائنٹ ایکشن کمیٹی کے درمیان ہونے والے معاہدے کی تفصیلات

Governance and Education Reforms

• Two new intermediate and secondary education boards (ISEBs) will be set up in Muzaffarabad and Poonch, all linked with the Federal Board within 30 days.

• Admissions will be strictly on open merit.

• The AJK cabinet will be capped at 20 members, with administrative secretaries also limited to 20. Departments such as Civil Defence and SDMA will be merged, while the Ehtesab Bureau will be aligned with NAB laws.

Healthcare and Infrastructure

• AJK’s health card scheme will be implemented within 15 days, while MRI and CT scan machines will be provided in every district.

• The Centre pledged Rs10 billion to upgrade AJK’s electricity system.

• Feasibility studies will be launched for tunnels in Neelum Valley, water supply schemes for 10 districts, and an international airport in Mirpur.

Hydropower and Land Issues

• The 2019 high court ruling on hydel projects will be enforced.

• Lands affected by the Mangla Dam Raising Project in Mirpur will be regularised within 30 days.

Local Government and Legal Reforms

• The Local Government Act will be brought in line with its 1990 version within 90 days, in line with apex court judgments.

• A high-powered legal committee will examine the status of non-territorial AJK Assembly members, with current concessions frozen until its report.

Additional Development Measures

• Funds will be allocated for hospital upgrades, bridges in Kotli, water supply schemes, and proprietary rights for refugees in Dadyal colonies.

• Property transfer taxes will be brought at par with Punjab and KP within three months.

Monitoring Mechanism

A Monitoring and Implementation Committee will be set up, including federal ministers Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Amir Muqam, AJK representatives, and JAAC members. The body will set timelines, resolve disputes, and review perks and privileges of officials, judiciary, and ministers to rationalise benefits.

The agreement, officials said, is aimed at restoring calm in AJK while addressing structural governance and economic concerns raised by protesters.