ISLAMABAD: In the early hours of Saturday morning, a Pakistani government minister announced a breakthrough in negotiations with the Joint Action Committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), confirming that a final agreement had been signed.

The announcement was shared via a post on X by Pakistan's Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary.

He stated: Our negotiating delegation has signed the final agreement with the Joint Action Committee of AJK.

Chaudhary added that the protesters were returning to their homes and all roads had reopened, marking "a victory for peace."

Decisions recorded

The minister also shared a copy of the agreement on his social media account.

Some of the decisions recorded in the agreement include the following:

• FIRs shall be registered under relevant section of Anti-Terrorism Act on the incidents of violence and vandalism resulting into deaths of personnel belonging to LEAs and protestors. A judicial commission shall be appointed where required.

• Persons killed in the incidents of 01st and 02nd October 2025 shall be compensated with monetary benefits equivalent to LEAs. Gunshot injuries will be compensated at the rate of Rupees 10 lac per injured person. A Govt. job shall be granted to one of the family members of each dead person within 20 days.

• Two additional intermediate and secondary educational boards shall be notified for Muzaffarabad and Poonch Divisions. All 3 intermediate and Secondary boards of AJ&K shall be linked with Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Islamabad within 30 days.

• The possession of lands with extended families of Mirpur district in case of Mangla Dam Raising project shall be regularized in 30 days.

• The Local Government Act in its current shape shall be brought in conformity with the spirit of the original Local Govt. Act of 1990 and in accordance with the judgments on the subject by Apex courts in 90 days.

• Government of AJK shall issue funds for implementation of health card within 15 days.

Chaudhary had earlier announced on Friday that matters have been resolved with the Action Committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), adding that a final round of talks was underway.

Chaudhary, in a post on X, stated that matters have been resolved with the Action Committee.

The final agreement is expected to be signed soon.

"The final round of negotiations is underway," he said.

"Public interest and peace are our priorities," the minister had said.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release stated: “The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) freely enjoy their civil and political rights and actively participate in shaping their democratic future.”

“Pakistan remains firmly committed to upholding their dignity, safeguarding their rights, including the right to peaceful assembly and protest, respecting their sentiments, and advancing their socio-economic development,” it added.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday expanded the federal negotiation team tasked with defusing tensions in AJK, according to his office, amid ongoing protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

The government team is in Muzaffarabad to engage in dialogue with JAAC leaders.

The expanded team included Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal ministers Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Ahsan Iqbal, senior leaders Amir Muqam, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Qamar Zaman Kaira, former AJK president Masood Khan, and Sardar Masood Ahmed.

PM Sharif had emphasized that peaceful protest is a democratic right, but warned against actions that disrupt public order and peace.

He had directed law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and avoid excessive use of force, assuring protesters that the government is committed to addressing their concerns.

Sharif had also announced support for families affected by the unrest and has called for a transparent investigation into the recent violence.

JAAC

Agreement signed with Azad Kashmir Action Committee: Pakistani minister