MUZAFFARABAD: The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) declared on Tuesday the cessation of ongoing protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) against surging inflation, exorbitant taxes, and escalating electricity bills. This decision came swiftly after the government yielded to their demands, offering relevant relief measures.
“The government has acquiesced to all the protesters’ demands,” stated a representative of JAAC, referencing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement of a Rs23 billion subsidy package for the people of AJK.
“The shutterdown strike is being terminated,” he affirmed, citing the government’s commitment to reduce wheat prices by Rs1,100 per 40kg and provide electricity at production cost.
Nevertheless, he noted that a statewide shutter-down would persist until 3 pm as a tribute to those who lost their lives during the protests.
Emphasizing the formation of a judicial commission to scrutinize the perks enjoyed by the ruling elite, the JAAC representative assured the release of all detainees and the nullification of cases filed against demonstrators.
Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a leader of AAC, expressed gratitude to PM Shehbaz for meeting demands persistently advocated for over a year.
“Our movement revolved around three fundamental demands: affordable flour, electricity, and the dismantling of elite privileges,” remarked Mir, lamenting the disruption of internet services, hindering the dissemination of successful negotiation outcomes.
Earlier, JAAC had declared Monday as a “black day” to honor the three individuals who lost their lives during clashes with law enforcement, which also resulted in numerous injuries and a policeman’s death over four days of protests.
The committee also scheduled funeral prayers for the deceased at 2 pm at the University Ground today.
Despite the federal and AJK governments’ commitment to meeting protesters’ demands, demonstrations persisted into the fourth day on Monday.
A day prior, PM Shehbaz unveiled a Rs23 billion subsidy package for AJK during a high-level meeting convened to address valley unrest following unsuccessful negotiations between the AJK government and AAC.
Subsequently, AJK PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq announced the issuance of notifications regarding power and food commodity subsidies, expressing hope for peace restoration in the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, AJK PM assured that the government harbored no intent to disrupt peaceful protests and confirmed the immediate implementation of the subsidy notifications, which would be a permanent fixture in the forthcoming FY2024-25 budget.
The notification includes a reduction in flour prices from Rs3,100 to Rs2,000 per 40kg and revised electricity rates, ranging from Rs3 to Rs6 per unit for different usage slabs.
