Violent protests called off as peace deal reached in AJK

Pakistani authorities reached a peace agreement on Saturday with a civil rights alliance, ending days of violent protests that left at least IO people dead and bringing calm to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

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Under the deal, the regional government led by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq agreed to continue subsidising wheat and electricity, besides accepting more than three dozen other demands related to reducing the number of ministers and improving health, education, and other public services.

The tough negotiations between the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) and a high-profile team of the federal government finally bore fruit as both sides agreed on a draft with some minor amendments, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said.

The agreement, signed by federal ministers and shared with the media, includes pledges to reduce the size of the cabinet and senior officials in the civil service. The government also agreed to investigate the violence and vandalism during the protests, including deaths on both sides.

Over a dozen persons including policemen had been killed in the clashes between the protesters and law enforcement agencies over the past five days.