Kashmir Called Off After Demands Met

Protest demonstrations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have been called off after the government agreed to fulfill the key demands of protesters, bringing an end to days of unrest in the region.

Background of the Protests

For several days, residents in different districts of AJK had been protesting against rising electricity tariffs, heavy taxation, and shortages of essential commodities. The demonstrations, organized by local political and social groups, quickly gathered momentum, with widespread participation from shopkeepers, transporters, and civil society members.

The protests had disrupted daily life, with marketplaces closed and public transport suspended in some areas. In certain districts, clashes between demonstrators and security forces were also reported, raising tensions further.

Demands of Protesters

The protesters had presented a set of demands to the AJK government, including:

Reduction in electricity prices, especially for domestic consumers.
Withdrawal of additional taxes on essential commodities.
Immediate steps to address shortages of wheat flour and other basic goods.
Assurance that the financial burden on low-income families would be reduced.

Government Response

Following negotiations between protest leaders and the AJK administration, the government announced concessions to meet the protesters’ core demands.

Authorities agreed to:

Reduce power tariffs for households.
Cut certain taxes that had sparked public anger.
Increase supply of wheat flour and essential items to local markets.

Officials said the decisions were taken in the public interest and to restore peace in the region.

Protests Called Off

After the government’s announcement, protest leaders declared that demonstrations would be suspended. They confirmed that their movement would remain peaceful and that they would monitor the government’s implementation of the commitments.

“This is a victory for the people’s unity,” said one of the organizers. “We stood together for our rights, and the government has finally listened.”

Quick Overview in Table

Issue	Protesters’ Demand	Government’s Response
Electricity Tariffs	Reduce domestic power prices	Tariffs reduced for households
Heavy Taxation	Withdrawal of unfair taxes	Certain taxes cut
Essential Commodities	Ensure wheat flour and basic goods supply	Wheat and essentials supply increased
Public Burden	Ease financial strain on low-income groups	Relief package announced

Conclusion

The suspension of protests in AJK marks a temporary resolution to a major public outcry. While the immediate crisis has been defused, residents remain cautious, insisting they will return to the streets if the promises are not honored.

For the government, the episode serves as a reminder of the growing frustration over rising living costs and economic hardship, issues that continue to resonate deeply across Pakistan.