Joint Awami Action Committee leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri emphasizes dialogue over pressure as protests and supply concerns persist in Poonch division.
The public rights movement in Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir has entered its 88th day, with leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) reiterating their demands and calling for genuine negotiations to resolve the ongoing crisis.
Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a prominent JAAC leader, stated that the public remains peaceful and steadfast in pursuing their acknowledged fundamental rights. He emphasized that the current situation cannot be resolved through pressure or force, advocating instead for purposeful and result-oriented dialogue.
"The public cannot be subdued through the use of force, and the only solution to these issues is through purposeful and meaningful negotiations," Kashmiri said. He added that if authorities approach talks with sincerity, the movement's leadership is prepared to engage, while noting that demanding an end to sit-ins without addressing core issues cannot substitute for actual dialogue.
The prolonged movement, which has spanned nearly three months, has seen continuous reports of protests, communication restrictions, and disruptions to daily life across various regions. Residents in the Poonch division have also repeatedly raised concerns regarding the supply of food and essential commodities.
The core demands put forward by the action committee include basic public services, reductions in privileges for the ruling class, reforms in governance, and improvements in the health and education sectors. The question of effective implementation of reforms and trust-building measures between the parties remains a central political issue as authorities and representatives navigate the ongoing situation.
