On October 4, 2025, a tense chapter in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) drew to a close as government officials and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) signed a sweeping agreement, restoring peace and signaling a new era of dialogue and reform. The accord, reached after days of unrest and a six-day lockdown, was hailed by leaders on all sides as a victory for peace, democracy, and the enduring bond between the people of Kashmir and Pakistan.
For nearly a week, life in AJK was upended. Protests launched by the JAAC over public-interest and governance issues escalated into violent clashes, tragically claiming three lives—including both police personnel and protesters. As the region’s streets grew quieter but more tense, the government moved quickly to prevent further bloodshed. According to The Nation, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased, emphasizing, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.”
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif dispatched a high-level delegation to Muzaffarabad. The team, which included heavyweights such as Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, Adviser to the Prime Minister Senator Rana Sanaullah, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf, former Adviser on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, former AJK President Masood Ahmed Khan, and former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, spent two days in intensive negotiations with JAAC representatives.
“We stayed in AJK for two days and held three rounds of detailed discussions,” Dr Chaudhry told reporters, describing the demands presented by JAAC as “purely in the public interest.” The government, despite Pakistan’s ongoing financial challenges, was authorized by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to make far-reaching commitments. According to Dawn, the Prime Minister assured that “the required funds—amounting to billions of rupees—would be provided to address AJK’s immediate issues.”
The agreement, which both sides described as historic, contains 12 core decisions and 13 additional points. Among its provisions are measures to address the violence that marred the protests: First Information Reports (FIRs) will be registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act for incidents resulting in deaths, and judicial commissions will be appointed as needed. The families of those killed during the October 1–2 clashes will receive monetary benefits equivalent to those given to law enforcement agencies, while injured individuals will be provided Rs 1 million each. In a gesture aimed at healing wounds, one family member of each deceased person will be offered a government job within 20 days.
As news of the agreement broke, normalcy began to return to AJK. Internet and mobile services, which had been suspended during the unrest, were restored. Shops reopened, and the hum of daily life resumed across the region. Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a core committee member of JAAC, announced at a press conference, “All our demands have been accepted and I announce the end of the lockdown.” He clarified that a legal committee had been formed to examine the abolition of refugee seats in the AJK Assembly, a long-standing issue with complex constitutional implications.
Other reforms were also set in motion. The size of AJK’s cabinet will be limited to 20 members, including ministers and advisors, and the number of secretaries will be similarly reduced by merging departments. Perks and privileges for members elected on refugee seats will be suspended until a final decision is reached. The government also pledged to abolish special allowances for lent officers. “Within 15 days, a Pakistan-style Health Card will be issued in Azad Kashmir,” Mir announced, outlining commitments to upgrade every district hospital with MRI and CT scan machines and to establish mother-and-child nurseries in THQ hospitals—all funded by the federal government. Water supply schemes will launch immediately in 10 districts, and Rs 10 billion has been earmarked for urgent improvements to the electricity transmission system.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was unequivocal in his praise for the negotiation committee and the JAAC. In his public remarks, he called the agreement a “great achievement for Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir,” adding, “Conspiracies and rumors have finally come to an end, and all matters have been resolved amicably, Alhamdulillah.” He urged the people of AJK to “avoid paying heed to rumours” and reaffirmed, “We have always been the protectors of the rights of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters and will continue to safeguard their rights in the future as well.”
The Prime Minister’s words were echoed by others in the government. Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal described the accord as a “milestone for good governance and reform,” emphasizing the need to address weaknesses in administrative structures that often fuel public frustration. “This accord is proof that in a true democracy, disputes are resolved through dialogue, not violence,” he said, according to Dunya News.
Qamar Zaman Kaira, senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, highlighted the government’s sincerity and the establishment of a 15-day follow-up mechanism to ensure the agreement’s timely implementation. This committee, which will include federal and AJK representatives as well as members of the JAAC, is tasked with monitoring progress and addressing any emerging grievances. “Regular review meetings would be held to prevent future grievances,” Kaira noted.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam attributed the successful resolution to the “dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,” remarking that “hostile elements wanted bloodshed, but their designs were foiled.” Former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, who led the high-powered delegation, urged unity among Kashmiris, stating, “Hatred leads to destruction; love solves problems.”
The agreement’s reach extends beyond immediate crisis management. It sets the stage for sustained development in AJK, with billions in federal funding targeting health, infrastructure, and public services. The government’s willingness to address controversial constitutional issues—such as the refugee seat quota—through legal and consultative processes signals a new openness to reform. And with a robust monitoring mechanism in place, both sides have committed to ensuring that promises translate into action.
For many in AJK, the events of the past week served as a stark reminder of the power of collective voice and the importance of responsive governance. As Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry put it, “This is a win for dialogue, democracy, and mutual respect.”
With peace restored and a roadmap for reform in hand, Azad Jammu and Kashmir now faces the challenge—and the opportunity—of turning hard-won consensus into lasting progress. The coming weeks will test the resolve of both government and civil society to deliver on their commitments, but for now, the prevailing mood is one of cautious optimism and renewed hope.
