Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has claimed that there were some elements in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir protests, which paralysed the region for four days, wanting to destabilise the region.

“Surely, there were people in the movement who were playing their role in a democratic way. But there were some elements, insurgents, who wanted to vandalise properties, cause loss of lives, fight in Azad Kashmir,” he said while addressing the region’s cabinet on Thursday.

AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq was also present at the event.

The Joint Action Committee protest over high fuel and wheat prices ended on May 14. At least four people have been killed and over 100 injured, officials said.

The premier lamented that people died in the clashes and announced funds for the victims under the “Shuhda Package”.

The alliance ended the protest after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a grant of Rs23 billion to help meet most of their demands, which included subsidies on flour and electricity prices. AJK PM Haq announced the details of the relief package and shared the notifications with the media persons.

The price of flour has been by Rs1,100 per 40kg while the price of 20 kilograms of flour was set at Rs1000.

For domestic consumers, electricity rates were set at Rs3 per unit for up to 100 units, Rs5 per unit for 100 to 300 units, and Rs6 per unit for consumption exceeding 300 units. Commercial consumers were charged Rs10 per unit for up to 300 units and Rs15 per unit for consumption exceeding 300 units.

The alliance’s head warned that they would again gather if they faced any difficulty.

PM Shehbaz added that the Rs23 billion of amount has been delivered to AJK. He asked the region’s PM to form a committee to resolve the pending issues faced by the alliance. The power minister and secretary would visit the region.