Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday approved an emergency grant of $23 billion to address the problems of people in Azad and Jammu Kashmir (AJK).
The development comes after protests and demonstrations in AJK called by the Miami Action Committee (AAC) against electricity inflation and taxes.
This grant was approved in a special meeting chaired by the Prime Minister in Islamabad, which was called due to the unrest in AJK.
The forum, attended by federal ministers and allied party leaders, reviewed the development status of the region in detail. Kashmiri leaders and participants thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz for his support.
AJK President Barrister Sultan Mehmood, AJK Prime Minister Anwarul Haq, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Raja Farooq Haider, Federal Minister Kashmir Amir Muqam, Energy Minister Awais Leghari and other political leaders attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Shehbaz met to discuss the situation in AJK after talks between protesters and the government stalled.
Earlier today, a long march led by the AAC left for Muzaffarabad, the capital of the AAC, on the fourth day of the wheel strike.
The protesters blocked the Kohala-Muzaffarabad road at several places and staged a sit-in. 40 It stretches for 40 kilometers and connects Kohala and Muzaffarabad in AJK. The protesters are expected to take the same route from Dhirkot to the capital.
The AJK government has called in the Rangers and the AJK police following clashes between the police and protesters during a demonstration that left one policeman dead and more than 70 injured a few days ago.
Despite the closure of markets, malls and educational institutions, heavy police forces have been deployed at roundabouts and sensitive areas. The vehicle was also stopped.
Expressing deep concern over Sunday’s violent clashes between AJK police and protesters, Chief Minister Shehbaz said there should be “no tolerance for taking the law into one’s own hands”.
The Prime Minister also said that he had spoken with AJK Chief Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and also instructed the Pakistan Muslim League-N officials in AJK to talk to the leaders of the action committee.
“I call on all parties to take peaceful action to resolve their demands. Despite the good efforts of the criminals, I hope this issue will be resolved soon. “
AJK protested
The AAC has called for a nationwide shutdown and wheel strike to protest against rising electricity rates and taxes. But the situation escalated when protesters and police clashed.
Dozens of police officers and other protesters were injured when police fired tear gas and stones were thrown by protesters.
Violent protesters damaged several vehicles, including a judge’s car, on the Poch-Kotli road. In addition, markets, malls, offices and schools and restaurants remain closed in AJK.
Police also arrested dozens of people in the AJK capital and attacked protesters after the violent incident.
Days ago, the government suspended mobile phone and internet services in several areas of AJK, including Bhimber and Bagh Towns.
Meanwhile, all mobile networks and internet services were suspended in Mirpur.
