Azad Kashmir Government Declares Joint Awami Action Committee a Proscribed Organization
Move comes ahead of planned June 9 shutdown strike as authorities cite security concerns and public order considerations.
MUZAFFARABAD (Finale) The government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has formally declared the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a proscribed organization under the region’s Anti-Terrorism Act, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the administration and one of the territory’s most prominent protest movements.
According to an official notification issued by the Home Department, the organization has been placed in the First Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2014 following approval from the AJK President. Authorities stated that the decision was taken on grounds related to public security, law and order, and the maintenance of peace across the region.
The move comes days before a planned region-wide shutdown strike announced by the Joint Awami Action Committee for June 9. The committee has been campaigning on several political and governance-related demands, including its opposition to the 12 refugee seats reserved in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947.
The JAAC has emerged as a powerful grassroots movement in recent years, organizing large-scale protests on issues ranging from electricity tariffs and inflation to governance reforms and constitutional matters. The organization gained significant public support through demonstrations and strike calls that drew participation from various districts across Azad Kashmir.
Government officials argue that constitutional and electoral matters should be addressed through democratic institutions and legislative processes rather than street agitation. Political parties represented in a recent all-parties conference largely rejected the committee’s demand regarding refugee seats and called for political dialogue within constitutional frameworks.
Meanwhile, security measures have been intensified across the region ahead of the proposed strike. Additional security personnel have reportedly been deployed to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth continuation of public activities, including preparations for upcoming legislative elections scheduled later this year.
The decision to ban the organization is expected to have far-reaching political implications, with observers closely watching the response of JAAC supporters and the broader impact on the political climate in Azad Kashmir. The development has also sparked debate over the balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding the right to political dissent and peaceful protest.
As tensions remain high, attention is now focused on whether dialogue between authorities and protest leaders can prevent further confrontation and ensure stability in the region during the coming weeks.
