ISLAMABAD: Azad Kashmir’s prime minister on Wednesday appealed for an end to days of violent protests in the disputed northern region, urging protest leaders to return to negotiations instead of pressing on with “the path of violence.”

The call to resume dialogue followed shutter-down strikes, wheel-jam protests and clashes across Azad Kashmir, organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC). The civil rights alliance is demanding an end to special allowances for government officials and the supply of electricity and wheat at discounted rates, similar to subsidies in other parts of Pakistan.

Protest leaders accuse the government of reneging on promises and say at least 12 people have been killed, while authorities report police casualties and deny failing to meet demands.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but both claim it in its entirety. Azad Kashmir is the part administered by Pakistan.

“For resolving any conflict, the best and most well-known way in the world, which has been used continuously and will continue to be used, is through dialogue,” Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq said during a press conference. 

“The government is ready to talk to you [JKJAAC], your legitimate demands will be resolved as soon as possible. The path of violence will only go toward the loss of human lives.”

He added that three police officers had been killed in the recent violence and more than 100 were injured, of which 8 were in critical condition. 

The JKJAAC rejected the government’s claims and in a written statement, spokesman Syed Hafeez Hamdani said 12 of its supporters had been killed in the protests and more than 200 injured.

“All have suffered gunshot wounds,” it said. “The claim that our demands have been accepted is contrary to the facts… If our demands had been accepted, we would have had no reason to keep protesting.”

In May 2024, a similar wave of protests paralyzed the region. After six days of strikes and violent clashes that left at least four dead, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a grant of Rs 23 billion ($86 million) for subsidies on flour and electricity, and a judicial commission to review elite privileges.

Protest leaders suspended their campaign at that time but warned that failure to implement the package would fuel fresh unrest.