{"id":2105,"date":"2026-06-12T10:45:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T10:45:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/?p=2105"},"modified":"2026-06-12T10:45:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T10:45:27","slug":"jammu-kashmir-joint-awami-action-committee-jkjaac-or-jaac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/","title":{"rendered":"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">By: Prof. Sikandar Khan<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a prominent and dynamic coalition of public civil society based in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (Azad Jammu and Kashmir or AJK). The circumstances surrounding this organization have changed rapidly, resulting in very significant and urgent changes in the last 24 to 48 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Structure and Basic Demands<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike traditional political parties, the Public Action Committee (JAAC) was established as a decentralized coalition, bringing together local traders, transporters, lawyers, students and civic groups on a single platform. The movement is being run under its comprehensive 38-point Charter of Demands, which is mainly divided into two categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Economic relief: <\/mark><\/strong>provision of subsidy on flour and significant reduction in electricity tariffs. The Action Committee argues that electricity prices should be based on the cheap production costs of local hydroelectricity (such as the Mangla Dam) rather than the national grid tariff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Structural and governance reforms: <\/mark><\/strong>Reduction of government privileges and privileges of the political and bureaucratic elite, and most controversially, the abolition of 12 reserved seats in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly for Kashmiri refugees living in other provinces of Pakistan. The Action Committee argues that these seats are used by Pakistan\u2019s main political parties to engineer governments of their own choosing in Muzaffarabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Background to major protest movements and agreements (2023-2025)<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Late 2023:<\/mark><\/strong> This alliance took formal shape as a result of strikes led by local businessmen, which triggered large rallies across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">May 2024: <\/mark><\/strong>Large-scale \u201cLong March\u201d and region-wide shutter-down strikes paralyze major cities. The government temporarily surrenders, slashes flour prices, and significantly reduces electricity tariffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">September\/October 2025:<\/mark><\/strong> Accusing the government of failing to fulfill structural promises, the Action Committee initiates a severe and indefinite regional lockdown. Violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies result in at least 9 to 15 deaths (including civilians and police personnel) and hundreds of injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">October 10, 2025 (Peace Agreement): <\/mark><\/strong>A formal peace agreement is signed between federal ministers, the Azad Kashmir government, and the Action Committee leadership. The government promises a 90-day period to consider the cancellation of refugee seats and the extension of regional health cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Current Crisis and Government Restriction (June 2026)<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The temporary peace that was established late last year has been completely shattered in the past few weeks due to the general elections in Azad Kashmir to be held on 27 July 2026:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Deadlock in negotiations (31 May 2026):<\/mark><\/strong> The 9-hour marathon talks between the federal negotiators (led by Rana Sanaullah) and the 16 core members of the Action Committee failed. Although the government claimed that 98% of the socio-economic demands had been accepted, the talks came to a complete standstill after the elimination of the 12 refugee seats. The Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly strongly defended the retention of these seats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Strike call:<\/mark><\/strong> After the failure of the talks, the Action Committee leadership refused to back down and called for a large-scale wheel jam and shutter-down strike across the region from 9 June 2026. This is the same day that the Azad Kashmir Election Commission is opening nomination papers for candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Formal ban (June 5, 2026): <\/mark><\/strong>The Azad Kashmir government has formally banned the Joint Public Action Committee under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The Home Department notification accused the group of being involved in terrorism, spreading anarchy and attempting to violently sabotage the democratic electoral process. Outsiders and tourists were ordered to leave the area immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Mass arrests and law and order crackdown (June 6, 2026):<\/mark><\/strong> A massive security operation is underway. Azad Kashmir police have confirmed the arrest of several high-profile leaders and activists associated with the banned Action Committee. Authorities claim that communication equipment and weapons have been recovered during the raids, and allege that some elements within the committee were planning to disrupt the law and order situation on a large scale.<br>The region is under intense tension as the scheduled June 9 strike approaches, with heavy deployment of troops and local communication links being suspended to prevent further public mobilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Steps taken by the Government of Pakistan and the Government of Azad Kashmir to curb the political activities of the Jammu Kashmir Action Committee<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In response to the failure of negotiations and the subsequent call for a strike on June 9, 2026, the Federal Government of Pakistan and the regional government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have jointly launched a comprehensive and multi-pronged crackdown. The strategy includes strict legal restrictions, administrative lockdown, and deployment of heavy security forces to formally dismantle the organizational structure of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee (JAAC) and prevent public agitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Legal Ban (Anti-Terrorism Act)<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The main legal weapon used by the state structure of Azad Kashmir is the formal ban on the Action Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>Prohibition Order:<\/strong> <\/mark>Acting on administrative advice, the President of Azad Kashmir authorized the Home Department to include JK-JAAC (and other names associated with it) in the First Schedule of the Azad Kashmir Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA, 2014).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Legal Basis:<\/mark><\/strong> The official notification clearly accuses the alliance of \u201cinvolvement in terrorism,\u201d \u201cacting in a manner that is prejudicial to peace and security,\u201d spreading anarchy, intimidating the public, and creating social insecurity. This move makes any public activity, fundraising, or facilitation by the committee a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Administrative Lockdown and Deployment of Security Forces<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The state has imposed a strict administrative lockdown to prevent the Action Committee from holding rallies or enforcing \u201cPeah Jam\u201d and \u201cShutter Down\u201d strikes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Implementation of Paramilitary Forces: <\/mark><\/strong>The federal government in Islamabad has deployed and deployed federal paramilitary forces (including Frontier Constabulary and Rangers) to assist the local Azad Kashmir Police in sensitive areas like Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Rawalakot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Strict Travel Restrictions:<\/mark><\/strong> The Azad Kashmir Information Department (PID) has issued an emergency and mandatory travel advisory effective from June 5 to June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Outsiders and Tourists:<\/mark><\/strong> All tourists and non-local residents have been ordered to leave Azad Kashmir immediately. There is a legal ban on entry of new travelers into the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Evacuation of hostels:<\/mark><\/strong> In districts like Mirpur, the local administration has ordered the complete vacating of all government and private hostels, guest houses and boarding houses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Commitment to protect the assembly: <\/mark><\/strong>Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly have passed official statements rejecting the Action Committee\u2019s basic political ultimatum. State institutions have made it clear that there will be no change in the 12 reserved seats for refugees and the July 27 general elections will be held as scheduled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Police action, preventive arrests and counter-coercion strategies<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of simply controlling the crowds, law enforcement agencies have now adopted a preventive approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Targeted campaign of arrests:<\/mark><\/strong> Law enforcement agencies have taken at least 72 key organizers, local businessmen and student leaders associated with the committee into protective custody in midnight raids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Action against forced shop closures:<\/mark><\/strong> The government has imposed a strict ban on the use of the Action Committee\u2019s traditional slogan \u201cBand, Matal Band\u201d. Azad Kashmir authorities have warned that if committee workers try to force shop closures or block major commercial thoroughfares, they will be dealt with strictly under anti-terrorism laws, as a forced strike will not be considered democratic expression but public harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Digital restrictions: <\/mark><\/strong>Digital surveillance has been stepped up to thwart the Action Committee\u2019s highly effective and decentralized public campaign, and the local administration is preparing for a mobile data and internet blackout ahead of the nomination filing date on June 9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Rathore has publicly defended these strict measures, saying that while peaceful dissent is protected, the state is drawing a clear line against \u201cmob rule\u201d, blockades of public infrastructure, and intimidation of state institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Action Committee is trying its best to keep its demands peaceful, so how can the authorities declare it a terrorist organization and ban it? Isn\u2019t this an act of state overreach?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most central and deeply divisive question of the current crisis. The stark contrast between the way the People\u2019s Action Committee (JAAC) views its movement and the way the state authorities view it is the real reason why the situation has deteriorated so rapidly. To understand how a civil society coalition can legally be labeled a \u201cterrorist organization\u201d despite its public commitment to peaceful protest, it is necessary to examine the mechanisms of counter-terrorism laws and the specific arguments of both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Legal Framework: <\/mark><\/strong>How Does the State Justify a Ban?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The legal definition of \u201cterrorism\u201d under the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) \u2014 which is closely aligned with Pakistan\u2019s federal anti-terrorism laws \u2014 is not limited to armed militancy or physical violence. This law allows the state to ban an organization if it finds that the group\u2019s actions are intended to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>coerce, harass, or intimidate the government or any section of the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Create a serious threat to public safety or disrupt civil life on a large scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deliberately destabilize state institutions or sabotage constitutional processes (such as elections).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), the Department of Homeland Security has transformed this issue from a political dispute over inflation and seats to one of national security and public order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Two conflicting perspectives<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The debate over whether this action is \u201cover the top\u201d depends entirely on which perspective you are looking at it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">The Action Committee and Civil Society Perspective: \u201cDemocratic Dissent\u201d<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>From the perspective of the Action Committee, local businessmen, and human rights activists, the state\u2019s move is seen as a harsh and undemocratic tactic to crush a legitimate rights movement. Their argument is based on a few key points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Economic grievances:<\/mark><\/strong> The movement began over the basic necessities of life, namely the price of flour and high electricity bills, that too in a region that generates large amounts of hydroelectric power. They see these as purely civic and economic demands, not an uprising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>Political weapons:<\/strong> <\/mark>Observers and legal experts say governments often use the shortcut of anti-terrorism laws to avoid political dialogue. By labeling the Action Committee \u201cterrorists,\u201d the state has criminalized anyone who participates in the strike, waves their flag, or posts support on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Silencing the opposition: <\/mark><\/strong>Since the Action Committee\u2019s demands have now escalated to challenging the 12 refugee seats \u2014 a system that traditional political parties rely on to maintain power \u2014 the committee says the ban is a political move to protect the ruling elite ahead of the July elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">The government and security establishment\u2019s perspective: \u201cSurvival of the state\u201d<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>From the perspective of the Azad Kashmir government and Pakistan\u2019s federal security establishment, the Action Committee\u2019s methods have crossed the line from \u201cpeaceful protest\u201d into \u201ccoercion and paralysis.\u201d Their justifications for the ban include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">The threat of economic sabotage:<\/mark><\/strong> While the protest gatherings themselves may be unarmed, the state views \u201cpeyjams and shutter-down strikes\u201d as an attempt to forcibly paralyze life, disrupt food supplies, close hospitals, and paralyze the economy until the government is brought to its knees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Fear of past violence:<\/mark><\/strong> Authorities point to the unrest of May 2024 and late 2025, where public protests ended in violent clashes, property damage, and deaths of civilians and police officers. The state argues that even if the leadership appeals for peace, their protests can result in public anarchy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Obstruction of the constitutional process:<\/mark><\/strong> Enforcing a complete shutdown on the very day that nominations for candidates for the general election begin is, in the eyes of the state, an illegal attempt to hijack the constitutional process through public pressure rather than the ballot box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is this an overreaction? This is the biggest and most important debate in the region at the moment. For independent observers and human rights organizations, the application of anti-terrorism provisions to a decentralized coalition of lawyers, businessmen, and citizens is an extremely harsh and disproportionate measure that closes the doors to peaceful democratic discourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the state, it is considered a necessary and preemptive measure to maintain its writ, protect public property, and ensure that regional elections are not suspended due to a major civil lockdown. The final analysis is that by choosing legal restraint over negotiations, the authorities have increased the stakes. It has eliminated the middle ground, turning a protest movement into a direct legal confrontation between the writ of the state and a deep-rooted popular campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Possible Future Scenarios and Strategies for the Success of the Popular Movement<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Considering the illustrious history of the People\u2019s Action Committee (JAAC), its current resolve, and the state crackdown, the movement stands at a historical turning point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">What is likely to happen in the future? (Potential Trajectory)<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If we examine how mass movements and state crackdowns typically play out, three basic trends could shape the future of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A. Short-term surge and \u201ctest of resolve\u201d (June-July 2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The upcoming June 9 strike and July 27 general elections are major flashpoints:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Decentralized Struggle: <\/mark><\/strong>Since the top leadership has been arrested, the movement may now take the form of a decentralized resistance at the neighborhood and local level. Shutterdown strikes may still occur spontaneously as local traders are the backbone of the Action Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Severe Risk of Conflict:<\/mark><\/strong> With the ban on Action Committees under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and the deployment of army and paramilitary forces, any attempt to hold public gatherings will be met with state force. This increases the risk of clashes and sudden shutdowns of internet and communications at the local level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">B. The State\u2019s Strategic Confusion<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The state cannot maintain such a security lockdown indefinitely without destroying the local economy and completely destroying the credibility of the July elections. Independent media (such as Dawn) are right to recognize that imposing a ban does not eliminate public grievances. Ultimately, the federal and regional governments will have to provide some political outlet to resume negotiations, possibly through the use of impartial mediators (such as senior lawyers or retired judges).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">C. Structural Change in Kashmiri Politics<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the immediate consequences, the political fabric of Azad Kashmir has now changed permanently. The Action Committee has successfully linked economic survival (subsidies) to deeper constitutional questions (12 refugee seats). Even if the movement is temporarily suppressed by force, a new generation of politically conscious, unconventional leadership has emerged that will continue to challenge the monopoly of traditional political parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Suggested Action Plan for the People\u2019s Movement<\/mark><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>To maintain its past successes and avoid falling into the state trap of the Anti-Terrorism Act, a large civil movement like the Action Committee can benefit by shifting its strategy from street confrontation to long-term institutional pressure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Strategy 1:<\/mark> <mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Turning to the legal and constitutional arena<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The use of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) is currently the state\u2019s sharpest weapon. The movement\u2019s first priority should be a systematic legal response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Challenging the ban:<\/mark><\/strong> The legal wings of the Action Committee should immediately challenge the ban and protective detentions in the Azad Kashmir High Court and the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Changing the narrative:<\/mark><\/strong> In court, the Action Committee can formally document its commitment to peaceful protest, which will strip the state of its legal justification that the group is an \u201canarchist or terrorist\u201d organization. Winning the legal battle will weaken the state\u2019s administrative legitimacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Strategy 2: Protecting the Fundamental Principle of Nonviolence<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The current state strategy relies on the movement becoming violent, which would justify their label as \u201cterrorist\u201d and allow for the use of maximum force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Avoiding the Trap:<\/mark><\/strong> The movement must strictly avoid clashes with law enforcement agencies or damage to public property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternative protest models: If \u201csit-in\u201d strikes lead to immediate arrests, the movement could shift to less risky and more visible symbolic protests. Such as symbolic hunger strikes, black armband campaigns, simultaneous market closures for just an hour, or large-scale digital campaigns that can keep the message alive without causing physical harm to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Strategy 3: Political use of the July elections<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since it is not possible to resolve the delicate constitutional reforms regarding the 12 refugee seats on the streets during the security lockdown, the movement could use the upcoming elections as a weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\"><strong>Power of the ballot:<\/strong> <\/mark>Instead of trying to block the electoral process (which reinforces the state narrative of sabotaging democracy), the network of action committees could put pressure on the main candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Litmus test:<\/mark> <\/strong>They could demand that every local candidate running in the election sign a public, legally binding pledge in support of the Action Committee\u2019s economic and structural demands. Candidates who refuse could be peacefully boycotted, automatically turning the election into a referendum on the Action Committee\u2019s 38-point charter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Strategy 4: Transform from a \u201ccommittee\u201d into a formal institutional voice<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ad hoc committees are great for mobilizing angry crowds, but they are vulnerable to crackdowns if the leadership is arrested. To survive in the long term, the Action Committee needs to institutionalize itself. By organizing as a recognized civil rights league, a permanent coalition of syndicates (businessmen, lawyers, labor), or an alternative new political organization, the movement can ensure that its struggle lives on long after the current election cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">\u066d\u066d\u066d<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is a prominent and dynamic coalition of public civil society based in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (Azad Jammu and Kashmir or AJK). The circumstances surrounding this organization have changed rapidly, resulting in very significant and urgent changes in the last 24 to 48 hours.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2106,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[40,55,79,102,34,46,37,371],"class_list":["post-2105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion","tag-government-of-pakistan","tag-government-of-pok","tag-isi","tag-jkjaac","tag-pakistan","tag-pakistan-army","tag-pok","tag-prof-sikandar-khan"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.5 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC) - Kashgil News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This is a prominent and dynamic coalition of public civil society based in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (Azad Jammu and Kashmir or AJK). The circumstances surrounding this organization have changed rapidly, resulting in very significant and urgent changes in the last 24 to 48 hours.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kashgil News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-12T10:45:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1144\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"newskashgil\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"newskashgil\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"newskashgil\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1d4269e397d7cd1134a94bffd47eaf1d\"},\"headline\":\"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC)\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-12T10:45:27+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2796,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Government of Pakistan\",\"Government of POK\",\"ISI\",\"JKJAAC\",\"Pakistan\",\"Pakistan Army\",\"POK\",\"Prof. Sikandar Khan\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Opinion\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/\",\"name\":\"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC) - Kashgil News\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-12T10:45:27+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg\",\"width\":2000,\"height\":1144},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/2105\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC)\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/\",\"name\":\"Kashgil News\",\"description\":\"The voice of the oppressed\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Kashgil News\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/cropped-cropped-Kashgil-News-Web-Logo-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/cropped-cropped-Kashgil-News-Web-Logo-1.png\",\"width\":490,\"height\":171,\"caption\":\"Kashgil News\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/1d4269e397d7cd1134a94bffd47eaf1d\",\"name\":\"newskashgil\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/30184e00fc88c67c7d59885215822fc5e851b7aada97b942debf3cfa16666e67?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/30184e00fc88c67c7d59885215822fc5e851b7aada97b942debf3cfa16666e67?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/30184e00fc88c67c7d59885215822fc5e851b7aada97b942debf3cfa16666e67?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"newskashgil\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/kashgilnews.com\\\/english\\\/author\\\/newskashgil\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC) - Kashgil News","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC)","og_description":"This is a prominent and dynamic coalition of public civil society based in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (Azad Jammu and Kashmir or AJK). The circumstances surrounding this organization have changed rapidly, resulting in very significant and urgent changes in the last 24 to 48 hours.","og_url":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/","og_site_name":"Kashgil News","article_published_time":"2026-06-12T10:45:27+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2000,"height":1144,"url":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"newskashgil","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"newskashgil","Est. reading time":"13 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/"},"author":{"name":"newskashgil","@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/#\/schema\/person\/1d4269e397d7cd1134a94bffd47eaf1d"},"headline":"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC)","datePublished":"2026-06-12T10:45:27+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/"},"wordCount":2796,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg","keywords":["Government of Pakistan","Government of POK","ISI","JKJAAC","Pakistan","Pakistan Army","POK","Prof. Sikandar Khan"],"articleSection":["Opinion"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/","url":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/","name":"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC) - Kashgil News","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg","datePublished":"2026-06-12T10:45:27+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/JKJAAC-By-Sikandar-Khan-Eng.jpg","width":2000,"height":1144},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/2105\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC)"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/#website","url":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/","name":"Kashgil News","description":"The voice of the oppressed","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/#organization","name":"Kashgil News","url":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/cropped-cropped-Kashgil-News-Web-Logo-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/cropped-cropped-Kashgil-News-Web-Logo-1.png","width":490,"height":171,"caption":"Kashgil News"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/#\/schema\/person\/1d4269e397d7cd1134a94bffd47eaf1d","name":"newskashgil","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/30184e00fc88c67c7d59885215822fc5e851b7aada97b942debf3cfa16666e67?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/30184e00fc88c67c7d59885215822fc5e851b7aada97b942debf3cfa16666e67?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/30184e00fc88c67c7d59885215822fc5e851b7aada97b942debf3cfa16666e67?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"newskashgil"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english"],"url":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/author\/newskashgil\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2105"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2107,"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2105\/revisions\/2107"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2105"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2105"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kashgilnews.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}