Despite implementation of deal
\nEfforts being made to sabotage elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, says parliamentary affairs minister
\n Islamabad
\nFederal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Sunday accused the proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of attempts to create instability despite the government accepting most of the group\u2019s demands. Addressing a press conference alongside Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) political leaders in Islamabad, Chaudhry recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif constituted a high-level committee to hold negotiations with JAAC.
\nA monitoring committee had also been formed to ensure implementation of all agreed points, he said, adding that the government implemented all clauses of its agreement reached with the group. The banned group had again called for protests despite implementation of the agreement, he said.
\nThe minister\u2019s remarks came two days after the AJK government declared the JAAC a proscribed organisation under anti-terrorism laws ahead of the group\u2019s planned protest on June 9. The group has previously organised large-scale protests over economic issues and political rights, some of which turned violent and resulted in fatalities during clashes with law enforcement in May 2024 and September 2025.
\nDuring today\u2019s presser, Chaudhry highlighted ongoing social and development projects in AJK, saying the region was being provided at Rs3 per unit and subsidies were being extended on flour and other essential commodities.
\nHe maintained that the government had fulfilled commitments made to the families of those martyred and injured during previous protests, while 170 cases registered during the demonstrations had also been withdrawn.
\nThe minister said that the AJK Assembly had completed its term, alleging that efforts were being made to sabotage free and fair elections in the region.
\nReferring to JAAC\u2019s demand to abolish the 12 refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, he said that the court has made it clear that these constitutional seats could not be abolished without legislation.
\nThe AJK Assembly has 12 seats reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
\nChaudhry said that practical steps had been initiated on agreed points relating to infrastructure development, but noted that major projects, including tunnel construction, could not be completed within a few days.
\nHe said that local employment opportunities would be ensured in development projects, stressing that frequent protests were not an appropriate approach for medium- and long-term development plans.
\nBilawal to meet PM Shehbaz on AJK situation
\nPakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said he will meet PM Shehbaz to discuss matters related to AJK.
\nBilawal announced the plan while chairing PPP AJK\u2019s parliamentary party meeting, expressing concerns over the prevailing conditions in the region, according to a statement issued by the ruling party in AJK.
\nDuring the meeting, the PPP chief said that his party has consistently prioritised the resolution of issues faced by the people of the region through political means.
\n\u201cPPP was founded on the Kashmir issue,\u201d Bilawal said, stressing that political matters should be resolved through dialogue and within the framework of the assembly.
\nParty lawmakers also presented their suggestions during the meeting, which was attended by PPP AJK political affairs in-charge Faryal Talpur.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Despite implementation of deal Efforts being made to sabotage elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, says parliamentary affairs minister Islamabad Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Sunday accused the proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of attempts to create instability despite the government accepting most of the group\u2019s demands. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-550034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n