Muzaffarabad: The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on Tuesday announced to end the ongoing protests and strike in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) against soaring inflation, high taxes and electricity bills.
“The government accepted all the demands of the protesters yesterday (Monday),” the AAC said in a statement and added, “The shutterdown strike is being called off.”
However, he added that a state-wide shutter down will be observed till 3pm today to honour the people who were killed in the protests.
At least three people were shot dead and six sustained injuries due to firing and teargas shelling by the paramilitary Rangers in Muzaffarabad on Monday.
A day earlier, the federal government announced subsidy on prices of flour and electricity immediately and approved release of Rs23billion from national exchequer to solve the issue.
Addressing a news conference in the federal capital today, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwaar ul Haq said notifications have been issued immediately following intervention of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He thanked PM Shehbaz for his keenness in resolving the issue amicably and ordering the prompt issuance of notifications.
As per the notification, price of flour has been reduced from Rs3100 to Rs2000 per 40 kilogram.
Meanwhile, the electricity prices will be Rs3 per unit for usage between 1-100 units, Rs5 per unit for usage between 100-300 units and Rs6 per unit for the 300-above slab.
Commercial rates of electricity have been fixed at 10 rupees per unit for 1-300 unit slab and for 300 and above slab, it has been fixed at Rs15 per unit.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate release of Rs23 billion to resolve the issues confronting the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
“The prime minister decided to provide funds after thoroughly examining the situation in the territory, in a special meeting chaired by him on the subject,” a PM Office press release said.
