MUZAFFARABAD – Authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have approved the purchase of anti-riot equipment worth more than PKR 500 million for the region’s police force, just days before a planned shutdown protest called by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) on 29 September.
The procurement, confirmed through an official notification issued by the Finance Department, will provide police with helmets, protective jackets, shields and related equipment. Officials say the funding has been allocated under the 2025–26 budget to support newly recruited police officers.
In a parallel measure, the government also approved a uniform allowance for more than 8,600 officers across the region. Each officer is set to receive PKR 6,935.61, bringing the total allocation to nearly PKR 60 million.
Heightened Security Climate
The announcement comes against the backdrop of rising tensions, as the JKJAAC has urged a region-wide shutdown on 29 September. The committee, comprising political and civil society representatives, has been vocal about rising electricity tariffs and other public grievances.
Traders, transporters and community groups are expected to join the call, raising the likelihood of large-scale demonstrations. Analysts suggest the procurement of riot-control kits signals that authorities are bracing for potential unrest.
Official Assurances
President of AJK emphasized that all expenditures would remain subject to audit and be carried out strictly in accordance with financial regulations.
Government officials insist the move is routine and intended to modernize the police force. But critics argue the timing sends a different signal, reflecting an administration more focused on controlling dissent than addressing the underlying causes of discontent.
September’s planned shutdown follows months of growing public mobilization across Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The JKJAAC, which has become a focal point for protest activity, has framed its campaign as a movement for fairness, accountability, and relief from economic pressures.
Observers say the coming days will test both the government’s crisis management approach and the resilience of the protest movement.
