Joint Awami Action Committee Announces Renewed Protest Movement Amid Accusations of Government Betrayal

Kotli, AJK (Pakistan administered Kashmir) — The Jammu & Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) concluded a marathon core-committee meeting here on Thursday night with a sweeping “renewed resistance plan”, blaming the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) government for “serial betrayal” of four written accords reached between December 2023 and December 2024 and vowing an indefinite, territory-wide lockdown beginning 29 September.

Reading out a 12-point communique, committee core member Imtiaz Alam said the movement would simultaneously push for implementation of the previously-agreed Charter of Demands and a freshly-approved set of grievances. “Enough is enough. Every clause signed by the rulers has been violated. The people of AJK will now speak through the streets,” he declared.

Key Resolutions from the Declaration:

1. Renewed Protest Movement
   The JKJAAC condemned the government’s failure to honor past agreements and announced a reorganized protest movement to demand implementation of its four-point charter. A new charter will also be introduced to address unresolved grievances.
2. Abolition of Refugee Seats
   The committee labeled the 12 reserved seats for “migrants from Jammu and Kashmir” as a tool for elite privileges, alleging corruption and calling for their elimination to restore “rights of ownership and governance” to locals.
3. Rejection of Transport Fee Hikes
   The JKJAAC opposed increased vehicle registration fees and traffic fines, demanding policies aligned with Supreme Court rulings. It also condemned crackdowns on non-customs vehicles.
4. Support for Police Protests
   The committee backed AJK police personnel’s planned protest on July 21 over unresolved demands.
5. Demand for Better Cellular Services
   The government was warned to improve telecom services or face “extreme measures” from the public.
6. Lockdown Call & Solidarity
   The JKJAAC endorsed a lockdown announced by Dhirkot’s Action Committee on July 23 and pledged support for all ongoing protests across AJK.
7. Condemnation of “Bogus Appointments”
   The committee denounced alleged illegal appointments at Boys Postgraduate College Abbas Pur.
8. Indefinite Lockdown from September 29
   A state-wide indefinite lockdown was declared starting September 29, citing repeated government betrayals. A public mobilization campaign begins immediately.
9. Health Card Implementation
   Authorities were urged to operationalize health cards on the model of Pakistan’s Sehat Card program.
10. Rejection of Federal Forces
    The JKJAAC warned against deploying FC, Rangers, or any “non-state forces” in AJK, vowing resistance if attempted.
11. Demand for Recovery of Kidnapped Individuals
    The committee demanded urgent action to secure the release of abducted persons, including Tufail Hussain from Hajira.
12. Referendum on Refugee Seats
    A public referendum on abolishing migrant seats was proposed, with an election strategy to follow.

Hashtags #RightsMovementAJK and #AJKRightsmovement trended across Kashmiri social media within minutes of the announcement, with activists already pasting strike posters in Mirpur, Kotli and Muzaffarabad late Thursday night.

Speaking to Kashmir Independent, senior leader Amjad Hussain warned, “If rulers still choose deception over dialogue, the September lockdown will morph into a civil-disobedience movement the likes of which AJK has never seen.”

Escalating Tensions

The JKJAAC’s declaration signals heightened unrest in AJK, with accusations of systemic exploitation and threats of mass mobilization. The call for an indefinite lockdown from September 29 could escalate tensions further if demands remain unmet.

— Report by The Azadi Times (Independent News Network)

(Adapted from JKJAAC Press Release, Kotli, July 17, 2025)