AJK govt declares JAAC a proscribed organisation ahead of planned strike

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Friday declared the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a proscribed organisation and placed it in the First Schedule of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Terrorism Act, 2014.

According to a notification issued by the Home Department, the government alleged that the organisation had engaged in activities detrimental to the peace and security of the state. The notification stated that the group was involved in creating unrest, intimidating the public, promoting hatred, and generating insecurity within society.

The notification further said that the President of AJK had approved the inclusion of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JK-JAAC), also known as the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and Awami Action Committee (AAC), in the list of proscribed organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The move comes amid escalating tensions over the group's call for a region-wide wheel-jam strike on June 9, coinciding with the commencement of the nomination process for the July 27 AJK general elections.

Authorities have criticised the organisation for refusing to engage in dialogue through established institutional mechanisms and have accused it of pursuing actions that could disrupt the electoral process.

At the centre of the dispute is JAAC’s demand for the abolition of 12 reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly allocated to refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan following the partition of the subcontinent in 1947. The group argues that these seats are frequently used by mainstream political parties to influence government formation in AJK.

However, the AJK Legislative Assembly on Thursday strongly endorsed the continuation of the refugee seats and stressed that the electoral process should proceed according to schedule.

In view of the developing situation, authorities have stepped up security arrangements across the region. Federal paramilitary forces have been deployed to support local law enforcement agencies and maintain public order.

AJK Inspector General of Police Captain (Retired) Liaqat Ali Malik formally requested 14,000 additional security personnel from the federal government to assist in maintaining law and order between June 7 and June 21.

Video footage circulating on social media showed convoys of security personnel entering Muzaffarabad, indicating that reinforcements were already being deployed ahead of the planned strike.

“Our foremost responsibility is to protect public and private life and property, and the police will act in accordance with their mandate,” the police chief said.

The AJK government has also advised non-residents to avoid travelling to the region and urged visitors currently in the territory to leave as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, speculation has grown regarding the possible suspension of internet and mobile data services during the planned protest. Similar restrictions were imposed during JAAC-led demonstrations last year, causing significant disruptions to educational activities, online businesses, freelance work, and communication services across the region.

Separately, the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir announced the postponement of its Spring 2026 semester examinations, which were scheduled to begin on June 8. University authorities said the examinations would remain deferred until further notice due to the prevailing situation and the strike call.