ISLAMABAD: At least six protesters and three policemen have been killed in days of protests in Azad Kashmir, the region’s Press Information Department (PID) said on Wednesday, with the government urging the demonstrators to return to dialogue with authorities.
The statement came hours after Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq appealed for an end to protests organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) in the disputed northern region since Sept. 29, saying the government is ready to talk to the protesters.
The call to resume dialogue followed shutter-down strikes, wheel-jam protests and clashes across Azad Kashmir. The JKJAAC 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.
The protests have turned violent over the course of the last three days as protesters and police came face to face and clashed at various locations. JKJAAC leaders accuse the government of reneging on promises and say at least 12 people have been killed, claims denied by regional authorities.
“As a result of the violent protests of the Joint Awami Action Committee in Azad Kashmir, six civilians and three police personnel have been killed so far,” the AJK PID said in a statement. “About 172 police personnel have been injured, of which 12 police personnel are seriously wounded. Fifty civilians have also been injured in the violent protests.”
The statement appealed to the public to remain peaceful, not to listen to “fake news on social media under a specific agenda” and to share only authentic and verified news.
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,” AJK PM Haq said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“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.”
The JKJAAC rejected the government’s claims and its member, Syed Hafeez Hamdani, said in a written statement that 12 of its supporters had been killed in the protests and more than 200 injured.
“All have suffered gunshot wounds,” the statement read. “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.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the situation in Azad Kashmir and decided to expand the negotiation committee for a peaceful resolution of the issue at the government level, according to his office.
The committee includes Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal ministers Sardar Yousaf and Ahsan Iqbal, former AJK president Masood Khan and Qamar Zaman Kaira.
“The Prime Minister directed that the law enforcement agencies should exercise restraint and tolerance with the protesters,” Sharif’s office said. “The Prime Minister said that public sentiments should be respected and any unnecessary harshness should be avoided.”
He said his government was always ready to resolve the problems of its Kashmiri brothers.
“The Prime Minister, expressing deep concern over the unpleasant incidents that took place during the protests, has ordered a transparent investigation into the incident,” it added.
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, PM 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.
