Muzaffarabad (Web Desk): Following the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a senior government delegation on Thursday reached Azad Jammu and Kashmir to open dialogue with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) over its demands.
The initiative came just a day after violent clashes during protests in the region claimed nine lives, including three policemen.
The negotiation delegation was led by Raja Pervez Ashraf, while the JAAC was represented by Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Amjad Ali, and Anjum Zaman Awan.
The committee requested additional time for further consultations, and the next round of talks is expected to take place tomorrow.
During the talks, emphasis was placed on strengthening the democratic process and resolving issues through peaceful means.
The delegation comprised Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal ministers Sardar Yusuf, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Ahsan Iqbal, along with former AJK president Masood Khan and PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira.
Speaking to the media, Rana Sanaullah said the team’s purpose was to listen carefully to the grievances of the action committee.
He added that the prime minister had directed them to focus on genuine issues and work towards practical solutions.
PM Shehbaz, in a statement issued earlier, expressed regret over the tragic loss of lives and instructed that an impartial investigation be carried out.
He also called for immediate financial support for the families affected by the unrest. Stressing that peaceful protest is a constitutional right, he urged demonstrators not to damage public order.
The premier reassured that the federal government stood ready to address the concerns of the Kashmiri people.
So far, six people, including three police officers, have lost their lives during the protest demonstrations, while 72 officers have been injured.
The JAAC has presented a 38-point list of demands, including the abolition of 12 reserved seats for refugees and an end to what it described as “undue privileges of the elite.”
The govt-backed negotiation body was tasked with presenting its recommendations without delay so that the Prime Minister’s Office could take swift action.
PM Shehbaz also appealed directly to the protesters to remain calm, promising to personally oversee the negotiation process after returning to the country.
He directed law enforcement agencies to deal with the demonstrators with patience, ensuring that no unnecessary harshness was used.