Peace Agreement Reached, Ending Deadly Protests in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir

Agreement Ends Days of Unrest

Pakistani authorities and a prominent civil rights alliance, the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), reached a peace agreement on Saturday, October 4, 2025, bringing an end to several days of violent protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, also known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The protests, which began on September 29, 2025, following a breakdown in earlier talks, had led to significant unrest and casualties across the region.

The accord was finalized after two rounds of high-level negotiations in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry praised the successful negotiations, stating that the agreement followed two days of talks and that protesters had dispersed.

Casualties and Compensation

The recent wave of protests tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people, including both protesters and law enforcement personnel. Reports on the exact number of fatalities varied, with some sources citing nine deaths, while the JAAC claimed 12 of its supporters were killed. The agreement includes provisions for compensating the families of those killed on October 1 and 2, 2025, with monetary benefits equivalent to those provided to law enforcement agencies. Additionally, individuals with gunshot injuries will receive Rs1 million in compensation, and a government job will be granted to one family member of each deceased person within 20 days.

Key Demands and Concessions

The JAAC, a coalition of traders, civil society groups, and grassroots activists, presented a 38-point charter of demands. While some officials stated that 'all demands' were accepted, other reports indicated that 21 of the 38 demands were agreed upon. Core demands addressed in the agreement include:

• Continued subsidies on wheat and electricity, with electricity tariffs to be determined based on the cost of production from the Mangla Hydropower Project.
• Abolition of 'elite privileges' for ministers and government officials, such as luxury vehicles and personal staff.
• Formation of a judicial commission to investigate the violent incidents that occurred during the protests.
• Reduction in the size of the regional cabinet to 20 ministers/advisers and administrative secretaries not exceeding 20.
• Allocation of Rs10 billion for improving the electricity system in AJK.
• Feasibility studies for the construction of two tunnels and a water supply scheme.
• Release of arrested protesters and restoration of communication services.

The protests have deep roots, tracing back to May 2023, when residents initially demonstrated against soaring electricity bills and shortages of subsidized flour. A significant wave of protests also occurred in May 2024, leading to temporary concessions that protest leaders claimed were not fully implemented.

Path Forward

To ensure the implementation of the agreement, a Monitoring and Implementation Committee will be established, comprising representatives from the federal government, the AJK government, and the JAAC. This committee will be responsible for dispute resolution, formulating rules, and defining timelines for the implementation of each decision. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the agreement, emphasizing that public welfare and peace remain top priorities for his government.