ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government has reaffirmed that elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) will be held on July 27 as scheduled, despite what it described as attempts by certain groups to disrupt the electoral process and undermine law and order ahead of the vote.
Addressing a press conference alongside AJK political leaders, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the AJK Legislative Assembly had completed its constitutional term, elections had been announced, and the election schedule had already been issued.
He said some elements were trying to create unrest and revive the kind of violent protests witnessed in the past to affect peace and stability ahead of the elections.
Dr Tariq Fazal said the Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed in 2023, had initially raised demands related to flour subsidies, electricity tariffs and reductions in elite privileges. He said the government accepted those demands and was currently providing electricity in AJK at Rs3 per unit while extending subsidies on flour and other essential commodities.
The minister said a 38-point agreement reached between the government and the JAC in October 2025 was being implemented under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He added that 35 of the 38 clauses had already been fulfilled, while the remaining issues involved legal and judicial complexities.
He said the government had proposed multiple options to address concerns regarding 12 seats reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), but those proposals were rejected.
Reiterating Pakistan’s support for the Kashmir cause, Dr Tariq Fazal stressed that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding, not violence or attempts to disturb public order.
