Authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir struck a peace agreement Saturday with a civil rights alliance, ending days of violent protests that left at least 10 people dead.
The deal, reached after two days of talks in Muzaffarabad, the regional capital, commits the regional government led by Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq to continue subsidies on wheat and electricity and to implement more than three dozen other reforms, including cuts to ministerial posts and improvements in health, education and other services.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry hailed the breakthrough on X, declaring, “Today, peace has triumphed! Kashmir and Pakistan have triumphed!” He said demonstrators had dispersed following the settlement.
The talks followed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to send a high-level delegation to negotiate with the Awami Action Committee. Alliance leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir said he was satisfied and thanked Sharif for addressing long-ignored demands.
Similar protests in 2024 forced concessions, though many promises were never fulfilled. Kashmir remains disputed between Pakistan and India.