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Key Points

Shops and businesses remain closed in Pakistan-occupied Muzaffarabad following days of violent protests. The unrest has claimed at least eight lives since it began on September 29. Government negotiators are holding a second round of talks with the Joint Awami Action Committee to address the escalating situation. Previous negotiations broke down over disagreements concerning elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees.

Key Points: PoJK Shops Shut Amid Violent Protests Killing Eight People

  • Violent protests in PoJK have resulted in eight fatalities over four days
  • Demonstrators continue rallies despite widespread business closures across Muzaffarabad
  • Government negotiators hold second round of talks with Joint Awami Action Committee
  • Previous negotiations collapsed over disagreements about elite privileges and refugee seats
2 min read

Shops, businesses closed amid protests in PoJK

Muzaffarabad businesses remain closed as violent protests claim eight lives in four days. Government holds second round of talks with Joint Awami Action Committee.

"We are not against anyone. These are also the demands of oppressed people of Pakistan. - Raja Shoaib"

Muzaffarabad, October 5

Shops and businesses closed in Pakistan-occupied Muzaffarabad, after several days of violent protests that killed at least eight people in four days.

Demonstrators chanted slogans as they held small rallies in front of closed shops during a week of the unrest, which started on September 29.

Leader of Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, Raja Shoaib said, "We are not against anyone. These are also the demands of oppressed people of Pakistan. A time will come when oppressed people of Pakistan, Pakistan's poor people will become one voice like Kashmiri people and these corrupt people will be gone from these assemblies."

A second round of negotiations between the Pakistan government's negotiation team and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) was held in Muzaffarabad on Friday, as efforts continue to ease the escalating unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), Dawn reported.

The talks come at a critical time, following the breakdown of earlier negotiations last week between JAAC, the PoJK government, and federal ministers. Disagreements over elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees led to a collapse in dialogue.

Since then, rival groups have staged protests across the region, with both sides trading blame for violent clashes that turned what began as a largely peaceful movement into a deadly conflict, as per Dawn.

A fresh round of talks began on Thursday between a high-level government delegation and a civil society alliance. That meeting was followed by Friday's second round of talks in Muzaffarabad.

Sharing a post on X, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said that the government's committee was holding a second round of talks with the JAAC representatives in Muzaffarabad.

"We fully support the rights of the people of Kashmir," he said, maintaining that most of their demands, which were in the public interest, had already been accepted.

"Constitutional amendments are required to fulfil the remaining few demands, and talks are ongoing regarding that. We believe that violence is not the solution to any problem. We hope that the Action Committee will resolve all issues through peaceful dialogue," the minister said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Eight lives lost in just four days! This shows the failure of Pakistan's administration in PoJK. When will the international community take notice of these human rights violations? The people deserve better governance and basic rights.
A
Arjun K
The situation in PoJK has been deteriorating for years. Elite privileges and corruption have made life miserable for common people. Hope the talks bring some relief, but Pakistan's track record doesn't inspire confidence.
S
Sarah B
While I sympathize with the protesters, I wish our Indian media would also cover the development and peace in Indian Kashmir with the same enthusiasm. Both sides need balanced reporting. 🤔
V
Vikram M
The minister says "violence is not the solution" but what about the eight people who lost their lives? Empty words won't bring them back. Pakistan needs to address the genuine grievances of Kashmiris instead of just making statements.
K
Kavya N
My heart goes out to the families affected by this violence. Shops closed, livelihoods affected - this is the real cost of political instability. Hope peace returns soon to the region. 🕊️

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