Nine Killed in Azad Kashmir Protests as Islamabad Calls for Dialogue

Sardar Qadeer

Islamabad: The federal and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) governments have renewed calls for dialogue with protesters after violent demonstrations left at least nine people dead and more than 200 injured.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expanded the negotiation committee, adding senior ministers Sardar Yusuf, Ahsan Iqbal, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Senator Rana Sanaullah, former AJK president Masood Khan, and PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira. The delegation has been dispatched to Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot to resume talks.

“The government is always ready to resolve the issues of its Kashmiri brothers,” Shehbaz said, pledging to personally oversee negotiations upon his return.

PM notice

Sharif expressed “deep concern” over the unrest and directed law enforcement agencies to show restraint. “Public sentiments should be respected and unnecessary harshness must be avoided,” his office said. He also ordered a transparent investigation and immediate financial assistance for victims’ families.

Events

According to the Press Information Department (PID) of AJK, six protesters and three policemen were killed during the clashes. At least 172 police officers were injured, 12 critically, and nearly 50 civilians were also wounded.

The violence followed shutter-down and wheel-jam strikes launched by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) on September 29.

Government appeal

AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq urged the demonstrators to end violence. “The government is ready to talk to you. Your legitimate demands will be resolved as soon as possible. The path of violence will only lead to tragedy,” he said.

He confirmed three policemen had been killed and over 100 wounded, while government buildings, including a school, were attacked. Haq stressed that 90 percent of demands had already been accepted, with federal ministers signing as guarantors for implementation.

Protesters reject government claims

The JKJAAC disputed the government’s position. Member Syed Hafeez Hamdani said 12 protesters had been killed and more than 200 injured, accusing authorities of reneging on promises. The group vowed to continue demonstrations until all demands, including ending “elite privileges” and scrapping reserved refugee seats, were met.

Background

The JKJAAC is demanding subsidised electricity and wheat at rates equal to other provinces, along with curbing privileges of lawmakers.

A similar movement in May 2024 left four people dead and forced Islamabad to approve a Rs23 billion subsidy package after six days of strikes. Protest leaders had warned at the time that failure to deliver reforms would reignite unrest.