Azad Kashmir govt, civil society hold talks as Sept 29 lockdown approaches

Muzaffarabad: As a September 29 shutdown looms, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government and a civil society alliance have begun urgent negotiations over a charter of demands raised by the alliance.

The civil society group, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKAAC), has threatened a statewide lockdown. Their core grievances include inflated electricity bills, poor governance, and economic hardships.

To prevent unrest, the AJK government has reached out for dialogue. Federal ministers, including Qamar Zaman Kaira, Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari, and Chaudhary Tariq Farooq, are facilitating discussions, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been briefed.

A letter of support from AJK-based leaders backing the protest movement was also delivered to the negotiating team, underscoring public sentiment.

Talks began at 4:30 PM in the Services and General Administration Department committee room, with both sides aiming to avoid a law-and-order crisis.

The outcome of the talks could determine whether the region faces a complete shutdown later this week.