• Source:JND
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PoK Protests News: The Shehbaz Sharif-led government has agreed to meet nearly all demands by the protestors of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after violent protests in the region killed at least 12, including civilians and security personnel. The major development came as a new round of negotiations took place on Thursday and Friday between the government’s negotiation committee and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

Talks between the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), the so-called puppet PoK government, and federal ministers over elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees broke down last week. Minister Of Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, a member of the prime minister Shehbaz Sharif’s team, said the delegation had signed the final agreement with the joint action body, Geo News reported.

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While in Muzaffarabad with the federal team, Chaudhry posted on X, saying the two parties had resolved their differences. He called the deal “a victory for peace,” adding that protesters were now heading back to their homes and all roads had been reopened.

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Key Points of agreement

- Cases under anti-terrorism laws will be filed for deaths in violent incidents.

- Compensation will be given to the families of those who died on 1st and 2nd October.

- Families of protesters will receive the same compensation as the families of officials.

- Injured individuals will receive Rs 1 million each.

- One member of the family of a deceased protester will be given a 20-day government job.

- Two additional Secondary Education Boards will be established in Muzaffarabad and Poonch within 30 days.

- All three PoK Secondary Boards will be linked with the Federal Board.

- The existing Local Government Act will be restored within 90 days in accordance with judicial rulings.

- PoK government will release funds for the health card within 15 days.

- Pakistan government will provide Rs10 billion to improve the electricity system in PoK.

- The size of the PoK cabinet will be reduced to 20 ministers and advisers.

- The number of administrative secretaries will not exceed 20.

- Civil defence departments will be merged into the SDMA.

- The Accountability Bureau and Anti-Corruption Establishment will be merged.

- Feasibility reports for two tunnels in PoK will be prepared by the Pakistan government.

- The project will be prioritised under the Saudi Development Fund as per PC-1 guidelines.

- A high-powered committee of legal and constitutional experts will be formed.

- The committee will consult on members selected from outside PoK.

PoK protests

Violence broke out in the region following the call for a strike on September 29, forcing Shehbaz Sharif to send a group of ministers and other leaders to Muzaffarabad to find a negotiated solution to their grievances. At least nine civilians and three police personnel have been killed during the ongoing demonstrations in the region. Nearly 172 police personnel and around 50 civilians sustained injuries during the demonstrations.

The delegation led by former premier Raja Pervaiz Ashraf held the first round of talks with the representatives of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), representing traders, local leaders and civil society activists.

(With inputs from agency)