Islamabad Today Report: In a major breakthrough, the Federal Government of Pakistan has accepted all 42 demands of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after late-night negotiations. The outcome, hailed as a “historic success” by the JAAC, marks a turning point in addressing long-standing political, social, and economic concerns of the Kashmiri people.
Initially, the JAAC had tabled 38 demands, but following extensive discussions, the total reached 42 points — all of which were accepted by the federal authorities.
Key Decisions of the Agreement
The agreement covers a wide range of measures aimed at justice, welfare, development, and governance reforms:
- Justice & Compensation
- Formation of a judicial commission to investigate recent violent incidents in several districts.
- Equal compensation for civilians killed during the October 1–2 protests.
- Government jobs within 20 days for families of martyrs.
- Rs 1 million compensation for each injured protester.
- Education & Health
- Establishment of two new education boards in Muzaffarabad and Poonch.
- Reinstatement of the Local Government Act of 1990.
- Launch of the Sehat Card program within 15 days.
- Provision of MRI and CT scan machines to all districts.
- Infrastructure & Development
- Rs 10 billion investment in AJK’s electricity transmission system.
- Feasibility studies for two tunnels (Kahori/Kamsir and Chaplani).
- Construction of an international airport in Mirpur.
- New water supply projects and hospital upgrades in all districts.
- Bridges construction in Kotli district.
- Governance & Reforms
- Reduction of assembly members and advisors to 20.
- Merger of Accountability Bureau and Anti-Corruption Establishment under NAB laws.
- Alignment of property taxes with Punjab and KP.
- Reduction of advance tax on citizens.
- Strict enforcement of merit-based admissions in educational institutions.
- Property rights for Kashmiri refugees.
- Other Major Commitments
- Regularization of land acquired for the Mangla Dam in Mirpur.
- Release of Kashmiris arrested in Islamabad and Rawalpindi during recent protests.
Oversight & Monitoring
To ensure timely and transparent implementation, an Implementation and Monitoring Committee will oversee progress. The committee will include:
- Federal representatives Amir Maqam and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
- Two members from the AJK government.
- Two representatives from the JAAC.
A Historic Moment for AJK
The JAAC credited the unity, resilience, and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people for compelling the government to accept their demands. This agreement is widely viewed as a landmark step towards justice, socio-economic uplift, and improved governance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
