ISLAMABAD: A high-level Pakistani government delegation on Thursday held the first round of talks with a civil rights alliance in Azad Kashmir, officials said, after days of unrest that has claimed lives of at least nine people.
The development comes amid tense situation in the disputed northern region following calls for a ‘lockdown’ by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) since Sept. 29, seeking removal of perks for government officials, ending 12 seats in the regional assembly reserved for Kashmiri migrants who came from the Indian-side of the territory, and royalty for hydel power projects.
The protests have turned violent over the course of the last four days as protesters and police came face to face and clashed at various locations, with authorities confirming killing of six people and three policemen. JKJAAC leaders this week accused the government of reneging on promises and said at least 12 of their supporters have been killed, claims denied by the regional government.
On Thursday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the situation and tasked a negotiations committee with reaching out to the protesters and resolving the issue. The committee includes Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal ministers Sardar Yousaf and Ahsan Iqbal, former AJK president Masood Khan and Qamar Zaman Kaira.
