Federal ministers Amir Muqam and Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Monday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully implementing the agreement reached with the Public Action Committee (PAC) of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), highlighting substantial progress on key demands despite the non-participation of the Joint Public Action Committee in a pre-scheduled meeting.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the federal committee on Azad Kashmir, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam said that an agreement covering 38 points had already been signed with the PAC following public protests in the region. He noted that a high-powered committee was formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the situation and ensure timely implementation of the accord. “We invited the Joint Public Action Committee for today’s negotiations, which were scheduled well in advance, but they did not attend,” he said.
Amir Muqam outlined wide-ranging progress on the agreement, stating that 172 FIRs had been closed so far, with only 15 serious cases remaining. He added that employees suspended during the protests had been reinstated, compensation had been paid as agreed, and heirs of those who lost their lives during the protests had been provided with jobs. He said that work was ongoing on local government reforms, two new education boards had been approved, student unions restored, and open merit policy implementation in medical colleges had begun this year. A health card scheme is also set to be launched by January 20.
The minister said that several legislative and administrative measures were at advanced stages, including an ordinance on property transfer, reforms to NAB laws and acceptance of e-tendering for electricity meters. He also confirmed that the Civil Aviation Authority had completed a feasibility study for an airport project and submitted it to the ministry, while a legal committee would be formed to address refugee seat issues.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, speaking on the occasion, recalled that the protests posed serious risks to lives, prompting the prime minister to personally oversee the process. He said the prime minister chaired two meetings to review implementation and that detailed progress reports were shared. “Despite the violent turn of protests and the loss of 19 lives, the government has closed 177 FIRs as a goodwill gesture,” he said, adding that the absence of the Joint Action Committee from the latest meeting could slow the pace of implementation.
Both ministers emphasized that the government remains open to dialogue and is determined to complete the remaining steps of the agreement in the larger interest of peace, stability, and development in Azad Kashmir.
