Calm restored in Muzaffarabad after Pakistan PM agrees to two demands, stir may be called off
Nosheen Khawaja
MUZAFFARABAD: Three local civilians were killed in firing by Pakistani Rangers, while seven others, including three Rangers, sustained injuries during clashes between local residents and Rangers in the vicinity of Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) on Monday.
Those wounded are currently receiving medical attention at a local hospital. The dead were identified as Saqi, Waqar Ahmed, and Zuhaib Choudhry.
The clashes erupted as young boys started hurling stones at a Ranger convoy passing through Bararkot, situated on the border between Muzaffarabad and Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Responding to the stone pelting, the Pakistani Rangers resorted to firing weapons and deploying tear gas.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos as the convoy found itself stranded amidst the barrage of stones, lacking guidance from local authorities.
These clashes took place shortly before Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq of Pakistan-Administered Kashmir addressed the media in Islamabad, announcing the fulfillment of two major demands raised by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.
During the press conference, the Prime Minister presented and displayed notifications about the demands, obtained by Kashmir Times.
One notification, issued by the Department of Law, revised domestic electricity tariffs, setting rates based on consumption levels.
From 1 unit to 100 units, the tariff was fixed at Rs 3 per unit, Rs 5 per unit for consumption between 100 and 300 units, and Rs 6 per unit for usage exceeding 300 units. Additionally, commercial electricity rates were set at Rs 10 per unit for consumption up to 300 units and Rs 15 per unit for usage surpassing 300 units.
Another notification decreed significant reductions in the prices of flour bags, with a 20 kg bag now priced at Rs 1000, down from Rs 1550, and a 40 kg bag now priced at Rs 2000, reduced from Rs 3100.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif granted a substantial financial grant of Rs 23 billion to the government of Pakistan-Administered Kashmir.
The protesters led by Joint Action Committee leaders reached Muzaffarabad from Dhirkot. It is expected that the Joint Awami Action Committee will call for protests shortly in a public gathering in Muzaffarabad on Monday night.
Hafeez Hamdani, a member of the Action Committee, informed in Muzaffarabad that while two demands were met, the government pledged to establish a judicial commission to assess the privileges of the political and administrative elite.
Presently, the situation in Muzaffarabad has calmed.
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