The group warned it would resume the march on July 22 if its demands remain unmet, as unrest in the region continues to escalate…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has suspended its planned long march in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) until July 21, giving the Pakistani government what it described as a final opportunity to address its demands amid continuing unrest that has reportedly claimed more than 30 lives.
The decision came after the expiry of the group’s July 14 deadline, which had prompted thousands of supporters, including women and children, to mobilise for a march towards Muzaffarabad. Protest caravans from across the region converged on Rawalakot and other locations before the march was put on hold following negotiations with Pakistani authorities.
According to the report, the discussions involved Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and JAAC leaders, including Umar Nazir Kashmiri. Following the talks, the committee announced that while the march had been suspended, sit-in protests across PoK would continue.
The JAAC warned that if the government failed to take concrete action on its demands, the long march towards Muzaffarabad would resume on July 22.
The unrest has continued to intensify, with reported clashes between protesters and Pakistani security forces pushing the death toll to more than 30. The confrontation around Rawalakot reportedly resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, including the deaths of seven JAAC activists in a single incident.
Protesters have accused the Pakistani authorities of attempting to suppress the movement by imposing roadblocks, disrupting supplies and enforcing internet blackouts across parts of the region.
Members of the Kashmiri diaspora have also staged demonstrations outside Pakistani diplomatic missions in several countries, alleging human rights abuses in PoK and calling for international intervention over what they described as a crackdown by Pakistani authorities.
The developments have also drawn political attention within Pakistan. Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari questioned the handling of the situation by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir, describing the developments in PoK over the past month as “very concerning.”
Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported that at least two law enforcement personnel were killed in separate clashes on Tuesday. Pakistani media also reported that more than 4,000 Rangers had been deployed across the region and that media coverage had been restricted.
As the protests entered their sixth week, thousands gathered in Rawalakot, where JAAC leader Sardar Amman Khan criticised Islamabad’s control over the region. Addressing the rally, he urged supporters to describe PoK as an “occupied territory” rather than a “disputed territory.”
“It is forcibly occupied,” Khan stated.
The protests have emerged as a significant challenge to Islamabad’s long-standing control over the region. Protesters have accused Pakistani security forces of carrying out a crackdown on civilians, while alleging that parts of PoK remain under blockade, curfew and a communications blackout.
