A period of intense unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has officially concluded following the signing of a significant agreement between the federal government and protest leaders on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The demonstrations had escalated into violence, tragically claiming at least 10 lives and leaving hundreds more injured across the region.
The widespread upheaval began with a strike on September 29, 2025, after crucial negotiations between government officials and the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), a key representative body of the protesters, failed to yield a resolution.
Prior to the escalation, the JKJAAC had presented a comprehensive 38-point charter of demands, warning of widespread street protests if their concerns were not addressed. When these demands were unmet, protesters took to the streets, resulting in violent confrontations with law enforcement. These clashes tragically led to the deaths of at least 10 individuals, including three police officers, and caused injuries to hundreds of both police personnel and civilians.
As the demonstrations intensified and spread across the region, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif intervened by sending a high-level delegation to Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, specifically tasked with negotiating a peaceful resolution.
This delegation, headed by former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, conducted intensive, round-the-clock discussions for two days, culminating in an agreement late at night. The breakthrough was publicly announced by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, via social media, confirming a consensus had been reached.
Chaudhry stated on X (formerly Twitter), ‘The negotiating delegation has signed the final agreement with the Action Committee… Protesters are now returning home, and all roads have been reopened. This marks a victory for peace in the region.’
The detailed 25-point agreement, a copy of which was shared by Mr. Chaudhry, outlines measures to restore normalcy. Key provisions include compensation for families of those killed during the violence and the registration of terrorism cases related to incidents of violence and vandalism that led to the deaths of both police personnel and protesters.
Furthermore, the federal government committed to establishing two new intermediate and secondary educational boards specifically for the Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions within PoK.
Healthcare provisions were also a central part of the accord, with plans for the local government to allocate funds within 15 days to implement health cards, ensuring free medical treatment for residents. The federal government also pledged to supply MRI and CT scan machines to each district of PoK in a phased approach.
To bolster the region’s infrastructure, the federal government agreed to provide PKR 10 billion dedicated to improving PoK’s electricity system.
In a move to streamline governance, the agreement mandates a reduction in the PoK Cabinet to a maximum of 20 Ministers and advisors, with administrative secretaries also capped at 20. This will involve merging various departments to optimize government operations.
Infrastructure development also includes a commitment from the Government of Pakistan to conduct a feasibility study for constructing two tunnels on the Neelum Valley road: one at Kahori/Kamser (3.7 km) and another at Chaplani (0.6 km). Additionally, a high-level committee of legal and constitutional experts will be formed to discuss matters related to the members of the PoK Assembly, and plans are in motion for the construction of an international airport in Mirpur.
Property transfer taxes will be harmonized with those in Punjab or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within three months. To ensure the agreement’s effective execution, a dedicated monitoring and implementation committee will be established.
The agreement brings an end to a five-day shutdown that had severely disrupted daily life, paralyzing public transport and limiting movement to only motorcycles and a few private vehicles. Throughout this period, a communications blackout, initiated on Sunday, remained in effect, fueling significant public discontent.