The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC)—an organization declared outlawed by the government in Pakistan-administered Kashmir—has issued a new declaration announcing plans to observe October 4 as a “Black Day” and to unveil the movement’s future course of action on that same day.
In the declaration, the JKJAAC claimed that seven young men—Sudheer Awan, Qari Ahsan Shah, Ansar Bhatti, Awais, Farhan, Haseeb Tariq, and Farid Riyasat—lost their lives during the long march held between September 29 and October 25, 2025.
According to the committee, a large number of people were killed, injured, or arrested, and several others were subjected to enforced disappearance during the recent protest activities that began on June 5, 2026. The statement also alleges the arrest of committee members, activists, journalists, and other citizens.
The JKJAAC alleged that those arrested were subjected to torture, denied court appearances, and, in some cases, deprived of medical care. The committee further claimed that citizens’ properties—including shops, homes, vehicles, and offices—were damaged in various areas, while traders’ shops and educational institutions were sealed.
The declaration also condemns the incident on July 27, when participants in the long march were killed and injured by security forces’ gunfire as the march resumed. The committee has characterized these incidents as the use of force against citizens.
The JKJAAC states that it has been engaged in a peaceful political struggle for the past three and a half years to secure its charter of demands; while numerous negotiations and agreements took place with the government during this period, the committee maintains that these agreements were not fully implemented.
The statement describes the presence of security forces in the cities of Pakistan-administered Kashmir as a hindrance to educational activities and healthcare services, and demands the withdrawal of forces, the restoration of internet services, and an improvement in the law-and-order situation.
The committee noted that temporary volunteer-run schools have been established to mitigate the educational loss suffered by students amidst the current circumstances, and it has appealed to the public to support these schools.
Appeal to Stockpile Two Months’ Worth of Rations
The statement urges the public to stockpile rations and food supplies sufficient for the upcoming two months, covering the period up to October 3, 2026.
The committee has also appealed for efforts—supported by philanthropists at the union council and ward levels—to ensure the provision of rations to the poor and daily-wage earners.
According to the statement, the movement will issue a “major call” after October 4, though the nature of this call will be announced later.
The JKJAAC has relaxed the lockdown for the business community from September 28 to October 3, urging traders to keep their businesses open for these six days so that the public can purchase essential food items. The committee has directed that goods transport continue operating solely for the delivery of food items, while advising citizens to refrain from non-essential travel, with exceptions made only for patients and those traveling abroad.
Announcement to Observe a ‘Black Day’ on October 4
The committee has announced that October 4, 2026, will be observed as a “Black Day” to protest the government’s alleged breach of trust and failure to honor commitments made in the agreement of October 4, 2025.
According to the statement, protest rallies and sit-ins will be held in Rawalakot, the UK, and other locations on this occasion, and the public has been urged to fly black flags.
The JKJAAC stated that the future course of action for the movement will also be announced on October 4.
The committee has appealed to various segments of society in Pakistan—including political activists, lawyers, journalists, trade unions, the business community, and transport operators—to organize protests in support of the ongoing rights movement in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and against alleged human rights violations.
The statement also calls upon Kashmiri social media activists and media organizations—both within Pakistan-administered Kashmir and abroad—to highlight the movement’s stance.
The JKJAAC has demanded that the ruling authorities implement the agreements and the charter of demands previously settled with the committee, and—taking responsibility for the events that have transpired since June 5—seek a peaceful resolution to the issue. The committee has stated that its struggle is not directed against any country but is aimed at securing the fundamental rights of the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir; it has also appealed to activists and the public to continue their struggle in accordance with the code of conduct established by the committee.
It is worth noting that the JKJAAC had announced a long march from Bhimber to Muzaffarabad, scheduled for June 9, 2026. According to available reports, the committee has maintained the implementation of the October 4, 2025 agreement as a key demand of its protest campaign.
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