ISLAMABAD: The federal government has accused the proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of attempting to destabilize the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), despite what officials say is the full implementation of a previous agreement with the group.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry made the remarks during a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday, where he was accompanied by several AJK political leaders.
Government Claims Agreement Has Been Fully Implemented
Dr Chaudhry said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formed a high-level committee to negotiate with the JAAC after earlier rounds of protests in the region. According to him, a monitoring committee was also established to ensure that all agreed points were implemented.
He stated that the government had already fulfilled the commitments made during negotiations, including the withdrawal of cases registered in connection with previous protests. He added that around 170 such cases had been withdrawn as part of the process.
“The government implemented all clauses of the agreement reached with JAAC,” he said, adding that essential commodities were being provided at subsidised rates in the region.
Subsidies and Development Initiatives in AJK
The minister highlighted ongoing relief measures in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, stating that electricity was being supplied at Rs3 per unit and subsidies were being provided on flour and other essential goods.
He further said that development projects had also been initiated across the region, with a focus on infrastructure improvement and long-term economic stability. However, he acknowledged that large-scale projects, such as tunnel construction and major road networks, require time and cannot be completed immediately.
According to Chaudhry, the government is also ensuring that local residents receive employment opportunities in ongoing and future development initiatives.
Tensions Rise Ahead of Planned Protests
The press conference comes just days after the AJK administration officially declared the JAAC a proscribed organization under anti-terrorism laws, ahead of a planned protest scheduled for June 9.
The group has previously organized large-scale demonstrations over economic grievances and political demands. Some of these protests reportedly turned violent in past years, including incidents in May 2024 and September 2025 that resulted in casualties during clashes with law enforcement authorities.
Dr Chaudhry alleged that despite the implementation of the earlier agreement, certain elements were again attempting to mobilize protests, which he said could disrupt stability in the region.
Government Warns Against Disruption During Electoral Period
The minister also expressed concern over what he described as attempts to sabotage upcoming electoral processes in AJK. He said that the AJK Legislative Assembly had already completed its constitutional term and stressed the importance of holding free and fair elections without disruption.
Referring to long-standing political demands, he noted that issues such as reserved refugee seats in the AJK Assembly could not be altered without proper legislative procedures, as confirmed by court rulings.
The AJK Assembly currently includes 12 reserved seats for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
Call for Stability and Long-Term Development
Dr Chaudhry urged all stakeholders to focus on long-term development rather than repeated street protests, arguing that sustained instability could hinder progress in the region.
He reiterated the government’s position that while dialogue remains open, development initiatives and electoral processes must not be undermined by unrest or political agitation.
