ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP):Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam said Wednesday that substantial progress has been made on the agreement with the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), with 31 out of 37 points either completed or progressing according to plan.
He shared the update during a press conference after a meeting of the Monitoring and Implementation Committee reviewing the pact along with Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
According to the briefing, 17 demands have been fully implemented, while several development schemes and administrative measures remain underway on a priority basis.
Completed steps include reducing the cabinet size to 20 members, reinstating suspended employees linked to JKJAAC activities, releasing detained protesters, withdrawing 177 FIRs, compensation payments exceeding Rs120 million for victims of the September 2025 incidents, open-merit admissions, electricity tariff adjustments, property tax parity, telecom governance improvements, and waiving electricity bills related to the Mangla Dam raising project. A PASCO wheat mix arrangement was also introduced.
Development initiatives currently progressing include bridge rehabilitation projects, hospital infrastructure upgrades, a proposed Rs10 billion electricity system package, district-level water supply feasibility studies, solid waste management plans, MRI and CT facility proposals, feasibility work on the Kahuta–Azad Pattan road, and proposed Kalhori–Kamsar tunnels.
Other measures include efforts to secure scheduled bank status for the Bank of AJK, a student unions code of conduct, Mirpur Airport feasibility work, rehabilitation planning for additional Mangla Dam-affected families, and a property rights policy for Mendor Colony.
Six issues remain unresolved, including local government reforms pending in courts, certain judicial commission matters, hydel decision proceedings, advance tax reduction proposals not approved by the cabinet, a boycotted committee on non-territorial MLA seats, and limited cooperation on electricity liaison matters.
Amir Muqam said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is closely monitoring development in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, regularly seeking progress reports and personally visiting Muzaffarabad to review initiatives and address local concerns.
He added that welfare programs such as Daanish Schools, laptop schemes, and Sehat Cards have been expanded to AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued engagement with stakeholders to address public concerns and complete the remaining demands.