Islamabad: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Finance Minister Chaudhry Qasim Majeed and Information Minister Chaudhry Rafiq held a crucial joint press conference today, addressing the ongoing volatile situation in the region. The ministers strongly urged the protesting action committee to return to the negotiating table, revealing that the government had already accepted the vast majority of their demands while cautioning against elements promoting anti-state narratives.

### Constitutional Deadlock over Refugee Seats

Addressing the core grievances, Information Minister Chaudhry Rafiq stated that the protests primarily sparked over the issue of 12 refugee seats. He clarified that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had clear-cut stance on the matter, but a necessary constitutional amendment could not be passed due to complex "number games" in the assembly.

> "Directly speaking, these 12 seats do not impact the daily lives of the general public," Rafiq emphasized. "The government had accepted nearly all demands of the committee. All issues can only be resolved through dialogue and mutual discussion."

> 

The Information Minister also lamented the escalation of violence, noting that following a suspicious murder, four security personnel were martyred. He stressed that all political parties must work in unison to steer AJK out of the current crisis.

### Economic Losses and the Agitation Agenda

Finance Minister Chaudhry Qasim Majeed highlighted the severe economic toll the unrest is taking on the region. He noted that the protests are coinciding with the peak tourism season, when tourists from all over Pakistan flock to AJK, resulting in billions of rupees in losses to the local economy.

Majeed revealed that despite the AJK Prime Minister's exhaustive efforts to maintain peace, the Action Committee's leadership remained rigid.

"The Action Committee's Shaukat Mir explicitly told the Prime Minister that they would deal with the Federation directly, and they remain adamant on continuing the strikes," Majeed said. He added that the provocative speeches being delivered by some agitators border on enmity against the state.

### Subsidies and Budget Announcement

Despite the administrative challenges, the Finance Minister assured the public that the supply of food products remains normal across the region. He underscored that the government is continuously providing heavy subsidies on wheat and electricity. Furthermore, he announced that the **AJK annual budget will be presented on June 29.**

### Target Against State Institutions and Foreign Agendas

The Finance Minister raised serious alarms over the underlying motives of certain elements within the protest movement, linking them to a wider anti-Pakistan agenda that India is actively capitalizing on through negative propaganda.

Majeed disclosed that during talks regarding the 12 refugee seats—which were originally reserved for those who migrated to AJK—protesters demanded the removal of the *'Affiliation with Pakistan'* clause from the official oath.

"Those who want to scrap the Pakistan affiliation clause should ask themselves whose agenda they are actually running. These demands are inherently anti-Pakistan," Majeed fired back.

He strongly condemned the targeted smear campaign against the armed forces:

 * **Defending the Military:** Majeed stated it was unacceptable that the same Pakistan Army defending the Line of Control (LoC) is being maligned. He added that AJK’s children love the army and many top officers hail from the region.

 * **International Subversion:** He pointed out that anti-army banners were being displayed as far away as England and questioned how "live-streamed speeches" are being broadcasted despite internet suspensions in troubled areas, hinting at sophisticated external backing.

 * **The Core Demands:** Out of 38 demands presented by the committee, 35 had already been successfully accepted by the government.

### Call for Peace on 9th Muharram

With today marking the **9th of Muharram**, the Finance Minister made an emotional appeal for peace and sanctity, asking protesters to call off the strikes. He reminded citizens that Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the federal government to provide all possible assistance and facilities to AJK.

In his concluding remarks, Majeed challenged the agitators to test their popularity via the ballot box instead of blocking roads. **"Elections are scheduled for July 27,"** he stated. "Whoever wishes to prove their mandate should contest the elections and let the public decide."