PM approves Rs23bn for Azad Kashmir

Islamabad: The federal government Monday approved 23 billion rupees for solving the problems of Azad Kashmir.

According to the details, a high-level meeting on the situation of Azad Kashmir was held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in which 23 billion rupees have been approved for solving the problems of Azad Kashmir.

It is reported that the meeting was held at the Prime Minister's House in which Azad Kashmir government, representatives of the Ministry of Interior and other important officials participated.

Apart from this, the Federal Minister of Kashmir Affairs, Minister of Energy, Minister of Food Security also participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif was given a detailed briefing on the tense situation in Azad Kashmir.

It is pertinent to note that yesterday Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed serious concern over the situation in Azad Kashmir in his message on the social media website X.

Negotiations failed

On the other hand, the talks in Rawalakot with the Azad Kashmir government's Mutahidda Action Committee have failed.

Chairman Mutahidda Action Committee Shaukat Noz Mir said that their three demands are low-cost flour, complete relief in electricity and seizure of privileges from the elite, until these are accepted by the government, the strike will continue.

He further said that the government should accept the demands and issue a notification. ‘Our protest is peaceful and will not be allowed to be sabotaged.’

After the negotiations failed, convoys from Rawalakot and other places are moving towards Muzaffarabad.

On the call of Awami Action Committee in Azad Kashmir, the participants of the long march have reached Rawalakot and are preparing to go to Muzaffarabad.

Educational institutions and district offices will also be closed in the district today. Normal life has been paralysed in the entire Kashmir Valley including Poonch, Bagh and Jhelum Valley for four consecutive days.

Medical stores are also closed, patients and their families are facing severe difficulties. It has been decided to shut down mobile phones and internet in Azad Kashmir for two more days.

Background

It is important to mention that during the ongoing protest and strike for the supply of cheap electricity and flour in Azad Kashmir yesterday, the angry protesters and the police came face to face during which the police fired tear gas in response to stone pelting.

The strike was announced by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Action Committee after at least 70 people were arrested during the raids on Thursday.

All business centers, offices and educational institutions were closed across Azad Kashmir due to strike and protest.

Clashes between police and protesters took place on Friday and Saturday, resulting in the death of at least one police officer and the injury of 90 others.