Web Desk: The chief secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday accused the banned Awami Action Committee of undermining dialogue efforts and advancing demands that extended beyond economic and governance issues, including proposed constitutional changes linked to the region’s relationship with Pakistan.
Speaking at a press conference, Chief Secretary Khushal Khan said authorities had addressed the overwhelming majority of the group’s demands but alleged that its leadership continued to escalate its agenda, contributing to political tensions and unrest in the region.
Khan said the government accepted and implemented 36 of the 38 demands presented by the committee during negotiations.
According to him, authorities took a series of measures aimed at addressing public concerns, including a reduction in electricity tariffs. He said the cut lowered the per-unit electricity price to Rs2.75 and imposed an estimated financial burden of between Rs8 billion and Rs10 billion on the state administration.
Despite those concessions, Khan alleged that the committee was unwilling to pursue a negotiated settlement and sought to derail discussions from the outset.
“Most of the demands placed before the government were accepted and implemented, yet efforts to sustain dialogue faced repeated obstacles,” he told reporters.
The chief secretary also disclosed what he described as previously undisclosed demands raised during discussions with the committee.
He claimed that representatives of the banned organization called for the removal of constitutional provisions related to the ideology of accession to Pakistan from the AJK Constitution. In addition, they allegedly sought changes to the oath taken by members of the Legislative Assembly by excluding references to Pakistan’s ideological foundations.
Khan said the group also boycotted a government-formed committee established to address issues surrounding 12 reserved seats and demanded its immediate dissolution.
“These proposals went beyond administrative or economic matters and touched upon constitutional and ideological issues,” he said.
Furthermore, Khan alleged that the committee had cultivated public support by presenting itself as a movement working in the interests of ordinary citizens. Over time, however, he said the organization expanded its list of demands while continuing to mobilize public opinion.
The chief secretary argued that the resulting tensions negatively affected law and order and disrupted stability in the region.
He maintained that the government remained committed to addressing legitimate public concerns through dialogue and institutional mechanisms while safeguarding constitutional principles and public order.
The remarks come amid continued debate in Azad Jammu and Kashmir over governance reforms, economic grievances and political representation.
While government officials insist that extensive concessions were made to address public demands, critics and activists have previously argued that broader structural issues require sustained political engagement.
For now, authorities say their priority remains preserving stability and ensuring that future disputes are resolved through dialogue and constitutional processes.
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