JAAC demands met excluding constitutional issues: Ameer Muqam

MUZAFFARABAD, May 11 (APP):Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, while expressing optimism to resolve the issues with Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has said that constructive discussions were held  in a cordial atmosphere with representatives of the Action Committee regarding the implementation of the agreement reached with them.

He expressed these views while addressing a press conference here on Monday along with AJK Ministers Ch. Qasim Majeed and Dewan Ali Khan Chughtai after a round of talks with the representatives of JAAC.

He stated that an agreement had previously been signed between the Action Committee, the Government of Azad Kashmir, and the Federal Government, under which several points were agreed upon.

To implement these points, a committee was formed comprising Azad Kashmir’s Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Diwan Ali Chughtai, Finance Minister Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, and from the federal side, himself along with Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

He said that six meetings had been held so far and added that such swift implementation of an agreement had rarely been seen in political history or in Azad Kashmir. He appreciated the seriousness shown by the Azad Kashmir government and praised the Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir for working tirelessly on the matter.

He further stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued special instructions regarding the implementation process.

Ameer Muqam said that providing resources to Kashmir remained among the government’s top priorities.

He noted that rapid progress was being made on the 37 agreed points and that the pace of implementation was unprecedented in Azad Kashmir’s history. He added that today’s meeting was also held with the same spirit of cooperation.

He said the Action Committee had been urged to send a positive message in light of the current national and international circumstances.

According to him, the entire country was celebrating what he termed a “battle for truth,” and Pakistan was emerging as a center for global peace, with the world paying close attention to the country. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for bringing Pakistan into international focus through their leadership.

He stressed that resolving issues through dialogue and mutual understanding was in the best interest of Azad Kashmir.

Regarding refugee seats, he said a constitutional committee had been formed consisting of representatives from Azad Kashmir, the federal government, and the Action Committee.

A meeting of this committee is scheduled for May 14, and the Action Committee representatives have been invited to attend and present their concerns so that a mutually acceptable roadmap can be developed.

The minister stated that most points of the agreement had already been implemented.

According to him,177 FIRs had been withdrawn; Financial assistance had been provided to the families of the martyrs and the injured; Wheat quota and taxation issues had been resolved; the number of ministers and government departments had been reduced through mergers; the Accountability Act had been approved.

He said work on all remaining points was continuing rapidly, though some legal matters naturally required time.

He emphasized that peace could only be ensured through negotiations and mutual understanding, and argued that protests would not benefit the public.

Ameer Muqam reiterated that today’s meeting with the Action Committee had been held in a positive atmosphere. He said concerns could be addressed through dialogue and expressed hope that talks would continue.

He added that the government leadership had instructed them to resolve all issues of Azad Kashmir in the interest of public.

Finance Minister Chaudhry Qasim Majeed thanked Amir Muqam for visiting Azad Kashmir as chairman of the implementation committee.

He said progress on 38 points had been shared with the Action Committee representatives.

He confirmed that the constitutional committee regarding the 12 refugee seats would meet on May 14, after which recommendations would be forwarded to the implementation committee.

Qasim Majeed also stated that Pakistan had helped prevent a third world war and that the country’s financial conditions were improving. During difficult economic circumstances, he said, the Government of Pakistan had never abandoned Azad Kashmir.

He emphasized that “Pakistan is our destination,” and that efforts must continue to strengthen the country.

Education Minister Diwan Ali Chughtai stated that most demands of the Action Committee had either already been implemented or were progressing rapidly.

He urged the Action Committee representatives to participate in the May 14 constitutional committee meeting. Referring to current global circumstances, he praised the role being played by the Government of Pakistan and the military leadership, saying the region could not afford instability at such a critical time.

In response to a question, Amir Muqam said that governments are represented by political leaders and that talks with the Action Committee were being conducted with full authority while keeping Azad Kashmir’s interests in mind. He thanked the Action Committee representatives for maintaining a positive atmosphere during negotiations.

Responding to another question, he said strikes and shutdowns would not benefit the public and were unnecessary under the present circumstances.

He reiterated that a special committee had been formed under the agreement to address refugee seat issues and that all sides needed to work together constructively.

He also stated that the Action Committee representatives had assured participation in the May 14 meeting.

In another response, Finance Minister Qasim Majeed said that if the committee’s points were resolved by June 9, the day could even be celebrated as a “Day of Thanksgiving.”

He further clarified that while 177 FIRs had been withdrawn, 15 FIRs related to death cases would proceed according to court decisions. Families of martyrs and injured persons had received jobs and compensation.

He added that the flour quota with PASSCO had been adjusted to a 50-50 formula, with plans to move toward 70-30; Efforts were underway to improve flour quality for the public; The Educational Board Ordinance had been approved and legislation had reached the assembly; Property tax had been reduced to 8.5%; The Accountability Bureau Act had been sent to the assembly; A CEO for the USF funds had been appointed; Improvements in telecommunications would become noticeable within a few months; The health card program had been launched and funds for State Life would soon be released so that the facility could become operational in the coming days.

Electricity tariff issues, waiver of previous bills for Mangla affectees, allocation slips for additional affected families, approvals for new colonies and bridges, and implementation of the open merit policy following High Court decisions were all progressing.

He said that most issues under the jurisdiction of the Azad Kashmir government had been resolved, while the federal government was also actively addressing matters within its authority.

He added that the Government of Pakistan had guaranteed special priority for resolving Azad Kashmir’s issues.

Qasim Majeed concluded by saying that the political environment in Azad Kashmir had improved in recent months and public trust in the elected government had been restored.

He added that whichever party the people elected in the future would form the government.

He noted that the Action Committee had attended one constitutional committee meeting and boycotted another, but during today’s meeting they assured participation in the May 14 session.

Senior Minister and Law Minister Mian Abdul Waheed would represent the government there.

He concluded by saying that all parties would move forward together in the best interests of the state.