Negotiations between the federal government and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are said to be nearing a breakthrough, with both sides making “positive progress” on a proposed draft agreement.

Sources confirmed on Friday that the government’s high-level committee and JAAC representatives have so far completed three rounds of talks in Muzaffarabad, while the final round is currently underway.

The draft under discussion, insiders said, is expected to be finalised soon, with government officials hopeful of reaching a consensus for signing.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also confirmed the development in a post on X, saying that the negotiations in Muzaffarabad had made headway.

“[The] final agreement is expected to be signed soon [and] the final round of negotiations is underway,” the federal minister wrote. “Public interests and peace are our priority.”

“There has been positive progress in the AJK talks,” he wrote.

The federal delegation, formed on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, resumed talks with the JAAC earlier this week amid growing tensions in AJK.

The government has reiterated its support for the rights of the Kashmiri people, stressing that their legitimate demands are being addressed.

“Most of the demands in the public interest have already been accepted, while discussions are ongoing over a few matters related to constitutional amendments,” he said.

Chaudhry stressed that violence was not the solution to any problem. “We hope the Action Committee will resolve all issues through peaceful dialogue,” he added.

In an earlier post, he shared that PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf, Senator Rana Sanaullah, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yousaf, Adviser to Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, Masood Ahmed and Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam Chaudhry himself were part of the government’s negotiating team.

Talks between the two sides had begun on Thursday and continued into Friday, as the federal government seeks to defuse the situation through political engagement.

Shehbaz Sharif orders probe

Yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), directing the negotiation committee to immediately proceed to the AJK capital and find an immediate and lasting solution to the issues.

He stressed that peaceful protest is a constitutional right but urged demonstrators not to harm public order.

He also instructed law enforcement to exercise restraint and respect public sentiment.

PM Sharif also ordered relief for affected families and directed a transparent, impartial inquiry to identify those responsible for the violence.

To expedite the process, he expanded the negotiating committee to include Rana Sanaullah, Sardar Yousaf, Ahsan Iqbal, former AJK president Masood Khan, and Qamar Zaman Kaira.

The prime minister instructed the committee to immediately travel to Muzaffarabad, review the situation, and submit recommendations without delay so corrective measures could be taken promptly.

He assured Kashmiris that the federal government is committed to resolving their issues and would personally oversee the talks, with the PM Office remaining alert even after his return from abroad.

He further directed that “unnecessary force or coercion must be avoided” and that public grievances must be heard and addressed with full respect.

Casualties and demands

Clashes between protesters and police escalated on Wednesday, with the BBC reporting that three policemen were killed and nearly 150 were injured, eight critically.

AJK Prime Minister Anwarul Haq confirmed the figures, while JAAC claimed that two protesters had also lost their lives and several others were wounded.

Discrepancies in casualty figures persisted, as local officials and medical sources were unable to provide final numbers.

JAAC’s demands include ending perks for ruling elites, abolishing reserved assembly seats for refugees, free healthcare and education, establishing an international airport, reforms in the quota and judicial systems, and overall governance reforms.

JAAC leaders maintain their movement is constitutional, democratic, and peaceful, though they acknowledged the disruptions caused by road blockades and protest activities.

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and local officials reiterated that no goals can be achieved through violence, and only meaningful negotiations can resolve the crisis.

He noted that while many demands have been accepted, others requiring constitutional or legal adjustments will need to follow due process.

Local political leaders and JAAC members welcomed the prime minister’s offer of dialogue but urged an end to the communications blackout to ensure transparency and effectiveness in talks.

JAAC leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri said, “For meaningful negotiations, there must be full transparency in communication and information.”