ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep concern and taken strong notice of the prevailing situation in Azad Kashmir, appealing to citizens to remain peaceful and avoid damaging public order during protests.
According to a press release issued by the PM Office, Media Wing, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed that peaceful protest is a constitutional and democratic right of every citizen.
He directed law enforcement agencies to exercise maximum restraint and tolerance, stressing that public sentiments must be respected and any unnecessary severity should be avoided.
Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the unpleasant incidents that took place during the Joint Awami Action Committee protests and announced a transparent investigation into the matter. He further directed immediate assistance for the families affected by the unrest.
Expanded Negotiations Committee
To ensure a peaceful resolution, the Prime Minister has decided to expand the government’s negotiation committee. The newly formed committee includes Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal ministers Sardar Yousaf and Ahsan Iqbal, former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Masood Khan, and Qamar Zaman Kaira.
The committee has been tasked to immediately travel to Muzaffarabad and present recommendations and proposed solutions to the Prime Minister’s Office without delay.
The Prime Minister appealed to the leadership and members of the Action Committee to cooperate with the government’s negotiation team for an immediate and lasting solution.
Shehbaz Sharif announced that he will personally monitor the negotiation process upon his return to Pakistan.
