Pakistan’s support for Azad Kashmir is not limited to budgetary assistance. Since 1989, stipends have been provided to more than 63,000 displaced persons, costing around Rs15 billion annually.
Despite serious efforts by a high-level political delegation to engage with the Azad Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the decision not to postpone the protest has raised important questions about the seriousness of its negotiating approach.
The high-level delegation formed to resolve the issue included Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Shah Ghulam Qadir, Tariq Farooq, the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, and Chaudhry Yasin. The delegation represented broad political consensus and serious efforts to resolve the matter.
According to sources, 35 out of JAAC’s 38 demands have already been accepted. In this context, describing the negotiations as a failure is being considered contrary to facts, as most demands related to public welfare have already been addressed.
The remaining three demands are of a different nature and relate to financial policy, constitutional arrangements, and political consensus. Therefore, resolving them through street pressure, ultimatums, or fixed deadlines is not considered feasible.
According to figures, Azad Kashmir generates approximately Rs60 billion in annual revenue, while its total budget has exceeded Rs300 billion. To cover this gap, the Government of Pakistan provides around Rs240–250 billion annually, highlighting the importance of financial realities in taxation and revenue decisions.
The demand for abolishing advance tax is also being viewed in light of these financial realities, as a reduction in revenue could affect public services, development projects, and welfare programs.
On the issue of elite privileges and facilities, the doors for dialogue remain open. The federal delegation has expressed willingness to consider reforms and rational reductions in such privileges, but emphasized that workable proposals and structured negotiations are necessary instead of slogans.
The issue of 12 refugee seats has been described as a constitutional matter that cannot be resolved through pressure politics. These seats represent refugees from occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and any change would require broad political consensus and constitutional procedures.
Comparisons with occupied Jammu and Kashmir have also been rejected as factually incorrect. It is argued that refugee representation exists in Azad Kashmir because a recognized refugee population exists, and their political rights are part of constitutional responsibility.
It is further stated that refugees residing in Pakistan impose limited financial burden on Azad Kashmir, while the Government of Pakistan provides far greater support in financial, development, and welfare sectors annually.
According to political observers, the key question is no longer whether grievances were heard, as most demands have already been accepted. The real question is whether the objective is resolution of issues or continuation of a protest movement despite significant concessions.
Citizens have been urged to support dialogue and negotiation instead of confrontation, as escalation during ongoing talks, despite available solutions, serves political objectives more than public interest.
The public is encouraged to demand transparency from all parties and evaluate positions based on facts rather than slogans. Each demand should be assessed in light of its financial, constitutional, and administrative implications.
Experts believe that constitutional issues can only be resolved through democratic institutions, legislative processes, and political consensus, not through street pressure.
The public has also been urged to reject any approach that creates unnecessary instability, disrupts daily life, harms economic activity, or causes law and order issues for ordinary citizens.
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