Muzaffarabad: A statement by Anjum Zaman Awan, core member of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), has stirred debate on social media, raising questions about the committee’s non-political stance.

In a post that quickly went viral, Awan said that “the flag of Kashmir’s accession with Pakistan will one day be raised in Srinagar.”

Following backlash, Shoukat Nawaz Mir, another JKJAAC core member and trader leader known on Facebook as “Tajran Da Veer,” clarified that Awan’s remarks were personal and do not reflect the committee’s official position.

Observers noted that Awan is also a councillor from Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) in Muzaffarabad, which has intensified scrutiny. During a December JKJAAC meeting, it was agreed that no core member would join a political party or participate in political activities, prompting questions about consistency with the committee’s policies.

Social media reactions are mixed. Some demand an apology or clarification from Awan, while others argue the statement reflects the views of Kashmiris supportive of accession with Pakistan.

The JKJAAC has not yet issued a formal collective statement. Analysts warn that the controversy could affect public trust in the committee, especially amid sensitive political and economic dynamics in the region.