Islamabad: Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep concern and taken serious notice of the situation in Azad Kashmir.

In a statement issued on Thursday, PM Shehbaz Sharif strongly urged the public to remain peaceful; emphasizing that peaceful protest is a constitutional and democratic right of every citizen. However, he called on demonstrators to refrain from disrupting public order.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the law enforcement agencies to exercise maximum patience and restraint while dealing with protesters. He stressed the importance of respecting public sentiments and avoiding any unnecessary use of force.

He reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing the concerns of their Kashmiri brothers, stating that it stands ready to resolve their issues. Expressing concern over the unfortunate incidents during the protests, he ordered a transparent investigation into the events and instructed that immediate assistance be provided to families affected.

To facilitate a peaceful resolution of the matter at the government level, the Prime Minister announced the expansion of the negotiation committee. The committee will include Senator Rana Sanaullah Khan, Federal Ministers Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan, Raja Parvez Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira.

Additionally, the Prime Minister directed the committee to immediately visit Muzaffarabad and work toward a swift and lasting solution. He appealed to the members and leadership of the Action Committee to cooperate fully with the government's negotiation team.

The committee has been tasked with submitting its recommendations and proposed solutions to the Prime Minister's Office without delay, enabling timely action to address the issues.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also announced that he will personally oversee the negotiation process upon his return to the country.