Mohsin Siddiqui (Chief Reporter) 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has authorized the immediate allocation of Rs23 billion to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following a series of violent protests in the region. The unrest resulted in the death of one police official and injuries to over 90 individuals.

In response to the escalating situation, the Prime Minister convened a special meeting in Islamabad, attended by AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, local ministers, and prominent political figures.

The protests in AJK, demanding electricity at hydropower generation rates, subsidized wheat flour, and an end to elite privileges, prompted the Prime Minister’s intervention. Expressing concern over the situation, the PM emphasized the need for dialogue and resolution.

In a statement shared on social media, the Prime Minister addressed the unrest, acknowledging attempts by certain parties to politicize the issue. Despite challenges, he expressed confidence in a swift resolution.

President Asif Ali Zardari echoed calls for restraint, urging stakeholders to engage in dialogue and address the grievances of the people of AJK within the framework of the law. He pledged to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister of Pakistan to seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing unrest.