Protesters in Pakistan’s Kashmir Cancel March Following Fulfillment of Demands

The recent protests in Pakistan-ruled Kashmir have come to an end after the government agreed to meet the demands of the civil rights group alliance. The protests, which were sparked by high prices, resulted in four deaths and over 100 injuries.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a grant of 24 billion rupees ($86 million) to address the protesters’ demands, which included subsidies on flour and electricity prices. The head of the alliance, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, announced the decision to call off the protest march in Muzaffarabad, the capital city of the region.

Mir stated, “The government has accepted all of our demands,” and urged protesters to return to their homes and businesses. He also demanded financial compensation for the families of the three protesters and one police official who lost their lives during the clashes.

Kashmir’s Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Chaudhry confirmed that the funds would help lower prices in the region, with the subsidised rate for flour dropping from 3,100 rupees to 2,000 rupees for 40 kgs. Additionally, there will be a significant decrease in electricity prices.

The protests coincided with the visit of an International Monetary Fund mission to negotiate a new long-term loan with Islamabad. The IMF has expressed concerns about social tensions due to the high cost of living and potential fiscal challenges for the government.

Overall, the resolution of the protests marks a significant development in addressing the grievances of the people in Pakistan-ruled Kashmir.