Newly elected Prime Minister calls on the Joint Awami Action Committee to suspend demonstrations while declining to clarify the status of non-local assembly seats in his upcoming cabinet.
MUZAFFARABAD — Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s newly elected Prime Minister, Iftikhar Gilani, has called on the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) to end its ongoing sit-in protests in Poonch and across the region, urging citizens to give the newly formed administration time to address public grievances.
Speaking on local political developments, Prime Minister Gilani emphasized that the incoming government requires a reasonable timeframe to initiate practical measures aimed at resolving longstanding civic and economic issues. The demonstrations, organized by the action committee over core public demands, have remained a central focus of regional politics amid ongoing negotiations between protest leaders and authorities.
However, during discussions regarding the composition of his upcoming cabinet, Gilani did not provide a definitive response when questioned about the inclusion of members elected from non-local seats—a contentious point among various political factions in the region.
The appeal comes as public agitation and negotiations over the action committee's charter of demands continue to shape the political landscape across Pakistan-administered Kashmir, particularly in the Poonch division. Observers note that the administration's approach to the protests and its ability to engage with public grievances will be critical in determining stability in the coming weeks.