MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The negotiations between the government’s high-level delegation and representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) have formally started in Muzaffarabad on Thursday.
The dialogue was held with protestors in an attempt to resolve the ongoing unrest in the region peacefully.
“A high-level delegation from Pakistan has started formal dialogue with representatives of the Joint Action Committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Muzaffarabad today,” Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who is also a member of the government’s delegation, posted on X.
A high-level delegation from Pakistan has started formal dialogue with representatives of the Joint Action Committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Muzaffarabad today. pic.twitter.com/gcKdFoYKNL
— Dr. Tariq Fazal Ch. (@DrTariqFazal) October 2, 2025
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the situation and formed a high-level committee tasked with negotiating with protestors and settling their issues peacefully.
A delegation comprises of Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Anwarul Haq, federal ministers Rana Sanaullah, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Ahsan Iqbal, Sardar Yousaf, and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam.
Former President of AJK Masood Khan and PPP leaders Raja Pervez Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira are also among those part of the negotiations.
Before the delegation left for Muzaffarabad, members of a government negotiating team spoke to the media in Islamabad and stressed the need for dialogue to end the unrest that had gripped AJK for the past three days.
Among them, Ahsan Iqbal said the government should play its role in addressing the issues in AJK.
“But given the present situation in the region and the world, some elements would want to disturb peace and stability in Pakistan to push forward their agendas,” he added.
AJK PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz for issuing directives for sending a high-level delegation for restarting talks.
He expressed the hope that members of the JAAC would also work toward ending the impasse in negotiations between the two sides.
PM Shehbaz takes notice
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on X, PM Shehbaz has directed the committee to immediately go to AJK capital Muzaffarabad and find a lasting solution to the problems.
The Prime Minister appealed to the members of the Action Committee and the leadership to cooperate with the government negotiation committee.
“The committee should send its recommendations and proposed solutions to the Prime Minister’s Office without delay so that steps can be taken for the immediate resolution of the issues,” the PMO said.
He said that peaceful protest is a constitutional and democratic right of every citizen; however, the protesters should refrain from harming public order.
Shehbaz Sharif said that the government is always ready to resolve the problems of its Kashmiri brothers.
Expressing concern over the unpleasant incidents that took place during the protests, he ordered a transparent investigation and directed to provide immediate assistance be provided to the affected families.
