Shoukat Nawaz Mir
Social Leader | Senior Member, Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee
Born: January 1, 1976 | Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir
Shoukat Nawaz Mir is a respected social leader and prominent voice for civil rights in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). As a senior figure in the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), he has led widespread movements advocating for economic justice, environmental protection, and democratic freedoms. His activism reflects a lifelong commitment to public service, grassroots mobilization, and social unity across the region.
Early Life and Background
Born on January 1, 1976, in Muzaffarabad, Shoukat Nawaz Mir grew up in a family with strong political roots. His father, was a close associate of former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan and an active member of the Muslim Conference. Influenced by this legacy of public engagement, Mir developed a strong sense of civic duty from an early age. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree while simultaneously helping manage his family’s business operations in Muzaffarabad.
Rise as a Trade Union Leader
Mir began his journey in public leadership through trade union activism. In 2003, he was elected to a local traders’ organization in Muzaffarabad, a position he won twice due to his strong support among the business community. In 2013, he became Secretary General of the Azad Kashmir Traders’ Organization, where he successfully unified various local trader groups. This culminated in the creation of the All Azad Kashmir Anjuman Tajran, with Mir serving as its founding Secretary General. He later assumed the presidency of the Central Anjuman Tajran Muzaffarabad in 2022, further amplifying his influence across AJK’s economic circles.
Environmental and Civil Advocacy
Shoukat Nawaz Mir has also championed environmental causes, playing a key role in the “Save the River” campaign against environmentally harmful hydropower projects like Neelum-Jhelum and Kohala. Working alongside civil society organizations, he raised awareness about the ecological impact of these developments on the Muzaffarabad region.
His leadership expanded in August 2023 when he became a founding member of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, a cross-regional alliance formed to address widespread grievances related to the cost of living, electricity tariffs, and governance issues.
The 2024 Public Rights Movement
In May 2024, Mir emerged as a central figure in one of the largest civil movements in AJK’s recent history. Under his leadership, JKJAAC led a six-day region-wide shutdown demanding subsidies on essential goods, reduced electricity costs, and an end to elite privileges. The movement, notable for its peaceful and disciplined approach, garnered mass public support. As a result, the AJK government agreed to a relief package worth Rs 23 billion on May 14, 2024—marking a major victory for the people of Azad Kashmir.
Mir continued to challenge restrictive legislation in the months that followed. In December 2024, he led peaceful protests demanding the repeal of ordinances that curtailed public assembly. His pressure resulted in the government rolling back several of these controversial laws, reinforcing his role as a defender of civil liberties.
Recent Leadership and Legacy
In May 2025, Shoukat Nawaz Mir addressed a massive rally at Lal Chowk in Muzaffarabad, issuing a six-month deadline to the AJK government to implement the JKJAAC’s full charter of demands. His emphasis on constitutional rights and public interest highlighted his growing influence as a unifying figure in Kashmiri politics and social leadership.
Throughout his career, Mir has consistently promoted democratic principles, economic equality, and environmental sustainability. His leadership—rooted in public trust, disciplined activism, and a vision for equitable governance—has made him one of the most influential figures in modern Azad Kashmir.
