KASHMIR: After the ongoing public protests and tensions between government representatives in Azad Kashmir, negotiations between federal ministers and Awami Action Committee have finally been successfully completed, resulting in an agreement of understanding. Political circles are calling this development a major success for the people, the state and democracy.
According to the details, the agreement was officially announced in a joint press conference of the government delegation and the leaders of the Awami Action Committee in Muzaffarabad. Addressing the press conference, Advisor to the Prime Minister and member of the government negotiation team, Rana Sanaullah, said that all matters have been settled amicably and all the legitimate demands of the Awami Action Committee have been accepted.
According to a private TV channel , he said that a Legal Action Committee has been formed to ensure the continuity of the matters agreed upon between the parties, which will meet every 15 days to review the implementation of the agreed points.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, while calling the agreement a victory for Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and the democratic process, said that the tense situation that arose during the last few weeks was resolved peacefully with the insight of the national and local leadership and the spirit of public understanding.
He said, “We preferred consultation instead of confrontation and solidarity instead of ego. The Joint Action Committee raised the voice of the people, and the government listened to this voice seriously.”
Senior PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf said that some elements wanted to further fuel this crisis, but all their plans failed. He said, “Maintaining peace in Kashmir is a shared responsibility of all of us, now no one needs to come on the streets, the complaints will be presented before the committee.”
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry confirmed that the negotiating delegation has signed the agreement with the Joint Action Committee and called it a “victory for peace.” He said that the protesters are returning to their homes and all the blocked roads have been opened.
Key points of the agreement
Under the agreement, the government has agreed to the following measures: Compensation will be provided to the heirs of those killed in violent incidents. The families of those killed on October 1 and 2 will be given government jobs (within 20 days). The injured will be given a compensation of Rs 1 million each. Two new secondary education boards will be established in two divisions of Azad Kashmir, Muzaffarabad and Poonch, which will be affiliated to the federal board. Azad Kashmir government to release funds for health card program within 15 days. Pakistan government to provide Rs 10 billion for improvement of power transmission system in Azad Kashmir
This agreement comes at a time when people in Azad Kashmir are on the streets demanding high inflation, lack of basic facilities and administrative reforms. However, the current developments show that peaceful dialogue is the best way to resolve the problems
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