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ISLAMABAD: At least six protesters and three policemen have been killed in days of protests in Azad Kashmir, the region’s Press Information Department (PID) said on Wednesday, with the government urging the demonstrators to return to dialogue with authorities.

The statement came hours after Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq appealed for an end to protests organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) in the disputed northern region since Sept. 29, saying the government is ready to talk to the protesters.

The call to resume dialogue followed shutter-down strikes, wheel-jam protests and clashes across Azad Kashmir. The JKJAAC civil rights alliance is demanding an end to special allowances for government officials and the supply of electricity and wheat at discounted rates, similar to subsidies in other parts of Pakistan.

The protests have turned violent over the course of the last three days as protesters and police came face to face and clashed at various locations. JKJAAC leaders accuse the government of reneging on promises and say at least 12 people have been killed, claims denied by regional authorities.

“As a result of the violent protests of the Joint Awami Action Committee in Azad Kashmir, six civilians and three police personnel have been killed so far,” the AJK PID said in a statement. “About 172 police personnel have been injured, of which 12 police personnel are seriously wounded. Fifty civilians have also been injured in the violent protests.”

The statement appealed to the public to remain peaceful, not to listen to “fake news on social media under a specific agenda” and to share only authentic and verified news.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but both claim it in its entirety. Azad Kashmir is the part administered by Pakistan.

“For resolving any conflict, the best and most well-known way in the world, which has been used continuously and will continue to be used, is through dialogue,” AJK PM Haq said at a press conference on Wednesday.

“The government is ready to talk to you [JKJAAC], your legitimate demands will be resolved as soon as possible. The path of violence will only go toward the loss of human lives.”

The JKJAAC rejected the government’s claims and its member, Syed Hafeez Hamdani, said in a written statement that 12 of its supporters had been killed in the protests and more than 200 injured.

“All have suffered gunshot wounds,” the statement read. “The claim that our demands have been accepted is contrary to the facts… If our demands had been accepted, we would have had no reason to keep protesting.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the situation in Azad Kashmir, according to his office.

“The Prime Minister directed that the law enforcement agencies should exercise restraint and tolerance with the protesters,” Sharif’s office said. “The Prime Minister said that public sentiments should be respected and any unnecessary harshness should be avoided.”

He said his government was always ready to resolve the problems of its Kashmiri brothers.

“The Prime Minister, expressing deep concern over the unpleasant incidents that took place during the protests, has ordered a transparent investigation into the incident,” it added.

In May 2024, a similar wave of protests paralyzed the region. After six days of strikes and violent clashes that left at least four dead, PM Sharif approved a grant of Rs 23 billion ($86 million) for subsidies on flour and electricity, and a judicial commission to review elite privileges.

Protest leaders suspended their campaign at that time but warned that failure to implement the package would fuel fresh unrest.

PESHAWAR: Pakistan this week formally reopened the Angoor Adda border crossing with Afghanistan after nearly two years, a move officials and traders said would revive cross-border commerce, generate local employment and improve connectivity in the country’s northwest.

The crossing, which lies in the hilly Barmal Valley connecting South Waziristan district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Afghanistan’s Paktika province, was closed in 2023 due to security concerns. Its reopening is expected to relieve pressure on the Torkham border in Khyber district, currently the busiest route between the two countries but often plagued by congestion and long delays.

Analysts say the decision underscores Pakistan’s efforts to expand regulated trade with Afghanistan, which remains one of its top export markets despite frequent border disruptions. Official figures place current bilateral trade at around $800–900 million annually, though business leaders estimate volumes could rise to $3–4 billion if crossings are streamlined and incentives provided.

Saif-u-Rehman, president of the South Waziristan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the reopening would significantly revive trade and employment. 

“Nearly 300 trucks used to cross the border daily before it was shut due to certain reasons,” he said, adding that the new terminal developed by the National Logistics Cell (NLC), a state-run logistics and engineering organization, would allow movement of goods to increase manifold.

Rehman said the operationalization of customs and immigration facilities had already created jobs for about 50 local youth, while nearly 10,000 laborers were engaged directly or indirectly in cross-border trade. 

He noted that the introduction of proper visa and passport checks would also regulate pedestrian crossings and help stabilize the area.

“Making this border fully operational will ease pressure on Torkham and allow Afghan passengers and patients to reach Islamabad, Lahore or Multan within a day for medical treatment,” Rehman added. 

He said Afghanistan mainly exports fresh and dry fruits and vegetables through Angoor Adda, while Pakistan exports electronics, textiles, medicines and other food products.

Rehman urged Kabul to reciprocate by upgrading its facilities. 

“The Afghan government should match Pakistan’s efforts and encourage businesses at Angoor Adda,” he said.

Kabul has not yet commented on the opening. 

“RAY OF HOPE“

Muqtasid Ahsan, Secretary General of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the reopening of the border crossing would stimulate economic growth across southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and South Punjab by strengthening regional value chains and supporting local businesses. 

“It will also drive infrastructure development and human capital growth, creating new employment opportunities,” he added.

He said the crossing would ease congestion at Torkham, where long delays in clearing Afghan and Central Asian consignments had driven many traders to use Iranian routes instead. 

“Reducing pressure on Torkham will restore confidence among Afghan and Central Asian traders,” he said.

Ahsan estimated current Pakistan-Afghanistan trade volume at $800–900 million annually but said volumes could reach $3–4 billion with further facilitation. He called for Angoor Adda to be integrated into the Export Rebate Schemes and the national transit trade policy “to provide attractive incentives for Afghan and Central Asian consignments and strengthen Pakistan’s economy.”

Local business leader Muqarab Khan Wazir said the reopening had fulfilled a long-standing demand of both traders and residents, most of whom rely on border commerce. 

He praised the NLC for completing customs offices, immigration facilities and passenger waiting areas within just 30 days. 

“Now, Angoor Adda provides direct and easier access to Pakistani cities, sparing residents of Afghanistan’s Paktika province the long journey through Torkham,” he said.

Junaid Altaf, president of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, described the move as “a ray of hope” for the business community. 

“It will multiply trade not only with Afghanistan but also facilitate commerce with Central Asian countries,” he said, urging Pakistan to prioritize not just exports but also imports and transit trade with Afghanistan and states such as Uzbekistan. 

“Greater trade and commerce are extremely necessary between Kabul and Islamabad to achieve peace and development in the region,” he added.

Tribal elder Malik Anwar Amin said the long-awaited reopening would ease the movement of goods and people, provide a formal channel for trade, and help curb illicit activities:

“The most important thing is that people of this region will now earn their livelihood at the border to feed their extended families. Also, it will leave a positive impact on the security situation.”