ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif lauded the resolution of the situation in Azad Kashmir, assured that all-out steps would be taken to address the concerns of the Kashmiri people.
The prime minister, in a meeting with members of the government’s negotiating committee following the successful conclusion of the negotiation process in Azad Kashmir, appreciated their efforts for resolving the matter amicably.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Sardar Muhammad Yusuf, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Ahad Khan Cheema, Adviser to PM Rana Sanaullah, Chairman of PM Youth Program Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf.
The prime minister also praised the Joint Action Committee for showing understanding and support for Kashmir’s development and prosperity.
“The government will continue to serve the Kashmiri people and take steps to resolve their issues as public welfare and peace are our priorities. We have always been protecting the rights of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters and will continue to do so,” he added.
The prime minister said that his government has always focused on issues of Azad Kashmir, consistently addressed them on a priority basis, and would also continue to take steps for development and prosperity of the Kashmiri people in line with their aspirations.
For the unversed, the government’s negotiation committee and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) struck an agreement, bringing an end to weeks of unrest that had triggered violent protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The Prime Minister praised the individual and collective efforts of the committee members, saying that the restoration of peace and return to normalcy in Azad Kashmir is a positive development.
He said that conspiracies and rumours have finally ended, and all matters have been resolved amicably.
Government, Awami Action Committee Talks Succeed
Shehbaz Sharif assured that the government is always ready to address the issues of the Kashmiri people. He added that public interest and peace are the government’s priority, and the service of Azad Kashmir will continue.
The Prime Minister urged Kashmiris not to pay attention to rumours, saying their rights have been and will continue to be protected. He further stated that the government has always remained attentive to the problems of Azad Kashmir and has worked to resolve them.
KEY POINTS OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FEDERAL MINISTERS’ COMMITTEE AND THE JAAC:
- Cases under anti-terrorism laws will be filed for deaths in violent incidents.
- Compensation will be given to the families of those who died on 1st and 2nd October.
- Families of protesters will receive the same compensation as the families of officials.
- Injured individuals will receive Rs 1 million each.
- One member of the family of a deceased protester will be given a 20-day government job.
- Two additional Secondary Education Boards will be established in Muzaffarabad and Poonch within 30 days.
- All three AJK Secondary Boards will be linked with the Federal Board.
- The existing Local Government Act will be restored within 90 days in accordance with judicial rulings.
- AJK government will release funds for the health card within 15 days.
- MRI and CT scan machines will be provided in all districts of AJK with federal funding.
- Pakistan government will provide Rs10 billion to improve the electricity system in AJK.
- The size of the AJK cabinet will be reduced to 20 ministers and advisers.
- The number of administrative secretaries will not exceed 20.
- Civil defence departments will be merged into the SDMA.
- The Accountability Bureau and Anti-Corruption Establishment will be merged.
- AJK’s Accountability Act will be aligned with Pakistan’s NAB laws.
- Feasibility reports for two tunnels in AJK will be prepared by the Pakistan government.
- The project will be prioritised under the Saudi Development Fund as per PC-1 guidelines.
- A high-powered committee of legal and constitutional experts will be formed.
- The committee will consult on members selected from outside AJK.
- Until the committee submits its final report, the privileges of these members will remain suspended.
- Funding, ministry status, and other perks for these members will remain on hold until the final report is submitted.
