Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to end street protests, and praised the members of the federal government’s negotiating committee for their efforts.

In a statement, the prime minister said that the restoration of peace and return to normalcy in Azad Kashmir is a positive development.

“Conspiracies and rumours have finally been put to rest,” he said.

Shehbaz Sharif added that all matters were resolved amicably, and the government is fully prepared to address the concerns of the Kashmiri people.

“Public interest and peace remain our top priorities,” the prime minister stated.

Reaffirming his commitment to the region, the prime minister said, “We will continue to serve the people of Azad Kashmir. I urge my Kashmiri brothers and sisters not to pay attention to baseless rumours.”

He emphasised that his government has always been, and will continue to be, a protector of the rights of Kashmiris.

The remarks come after the details of the agreement between the federal ministers’ committee and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) were made public during a joint press conference in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir.

According to the agreement, FIRs under anti-terrorism laws will be filed in cases of fatalities during violent incidents.

Compensation will be provided to the families of those killed and to the injured, as per the agreement.

Under the agreement, two education boards will be established in Muzaffarabad and Poonch Division within 30 days.