A high-level government delegation, nominated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Thursday formally began talks with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Muzaffarabad to address the ongoing protests and issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) through dialogue and legal measures.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, while speaking to the media before departing for Muzaffarabad, said the government is committed to a peaceful resolution of the crisis. He stressed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formed a special committee to review ground realities and directly engage with stakeholders.
“We are making a high-level visit to Muzaffarabad to closely assess the situation and interact with the people,” Ahsan Iqbal said. “Wherever a legal remedy is possible, the federal government is fully prepared to play its role in addressing legitimate grievances.”
Appealing for peace and restraint, the federal minister noted that some forces might try to exploit unrest in Pakistan for their own agendas. “We must avoid situations that can be used against the peace and stability of Pakistan,” he emphasized.
He further assured that the government fully respects the sentiments of the people of AJK and will take all necessary steps to resolve their concerns.
“We deeply respect the sentiments of the people of AJK and assure them that their genuine concerns will not be overlooked,” he concluded.
