The Pakistani government on Saturday yielded to pressure and signed an agreement with protesters in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), ending five days of demonstrations that left 12 people dead and hundreds injured. Officials described the pact as “a victory for peace” in a face-saving gesture.
The unrest marked one of the largest protest movements in POK in recent years. Talks between government officials and leaders of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), a representative body of protesters, had collapsed on September 29, triggering violent demonstrations.
The 25-point deal includes compensation for those killed in the protests, registration of terrorism cases for incidents of vandalism, the establishment of educational boards for the Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions, and a PKR 10 billion allocation to improve the electricity system across POK.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry announced the agreement on X, stating, “Negotiating delegation has signed the final agreement with the Action Committee.... The protesters are returning to their homes. All roads have been reopened. This is a victory for peace.”
During the protests, POK experienced a near-total shutdown. Public transport was paralysed, and a communications blackout imposed on September 26 further heightened tensions.
The federal government also agreed to implement health cards within 15 days for free medical treatment, provide MRI and CT scan machines across districts in a phased manner, and conduct feasibility studies for the construction of two tunnels at Kahori/Kamser and Chaplani in the Neelum Valley. Plans for an international airport at Mirpur were also included.
Also Read : PoK under illegal occupation; Pakistan liable for unrest: MEA
As part of the deal, taxes on property transfers in POK will be aligned with rates in Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within three months. A monitoring and implementation committee will be established to oversee compliance with the agreement.
India criticised Pakistan over the unrest, highlighting the use of excessive force and systemic resource exploitation in POK.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We believe that it is a natural consequence of Pakistan's oppressive approach and systemic plundering of resources from these territories. Pakistan must be held accountable for its horrific human rights violations.”
India reiterated its position that POK is an integral part of the country and stated that any future discussions with Pakistan would only concern the return of the territory.
Pakistan, meanwhile, indirectly blamed India for the unrest. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal urged protesters to avoid actions that could “benefit our enemy country.”
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