MUZAFFARABAD – The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Thursday revoked earlier concessions granted in protest-related cases and reinstated 177 First Information Reports (FIRs) against members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), citing violations of the October 4, 2025 agreement between the two sides.
The decision comes amid heightened tensions in the region following recent violent clashes and competing claims over casualties and governance grievances. Official sources have confirmed at least seven deaths in the latest unrest.
The AJK government had last week imposed a ban on the JAAC, accusing the group of involvement in activities linked to terrorism, incitement of hatred, and attempts to create disorder in the region. The move followed the committee’s call for a protest on June 9.
The JAAC has previously led large-scale demonstrations over economic and administrative reforms, some of which turned violent in clashes with law enforcement in May 2024 and September 2025.
According to official statements, the government concluded that the JAAC had breached the October 2025 agreement by returning to street agitation instead of pursuing dialogue through the implementation mechanism established under the accord. As a result, previously withdrawn protest-related cases have now been restored.
A notification issued by the Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Department in Muzaffarabad confirmed the development following approval by the AJK Cabinet in its 41st meeting held on June 5, 2026.
The notification stated that earlier orders granting relief in protest-related cases had been withdrawn with presidential approval, effectively reversing concessions issued between December 2024 and December 2025. It also directed law enforcement, judiciary, and administrative authorities to implement the decision and proceed with legal action.
The reinstated FIRs pertain to protests held in September and October 2025, during which the JAAC had launched a movement demanding governance reforms, abolition of elite privileges, removal of 12 refugee-reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, and changes to the quota system.
During the protests, violent confrontations erupted between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in multiple fatalities, including civilians and law enforcement personnel. Authorities have previously stated that at least nine people, including three police officials, were killed during the unrest.
Following the October 2025 agreement between the government and JAAC, a high-level committee was formed to review contentious issues, including refugee representation. Subsequently, cases linked to earlier protests were withdrawn, and 177 FIRs were dropped through notifications issued in December 2025.
However, cases related to deaths during the violence were not withdrawn and remain under judicial process. A proposal for a judicial commission to investigate the incidents is also still under consideration.
Background of unrest
Tensions escalated further in Rawalakot, where JAAC activists were staging a sit-in outside the Combined Military Hospital. Police allege that armed members of the group attacked deployed personnel, resulting in the deaths of four officers and injuries to around 20 others. The JAAC, however, disputes this account and claims security forces used excessive force, including tear gas and shelling near the hospital.
The recent clashes coincided with the announcement of elections scheduled for July 27 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The 53-member AJK Legislative Assembly includes 12 reserved seats for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan, a structure often criticised by various political groups as uneven and controversial.
The latest unrest follows a turbulent political period that began with large-scale protests in October last year, when the JAAC-led movement demanded sweeping reforms, including an end to elite privileges and restructuring of refugee representation.
The protests led to political instability, including a no-confidence move against then Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, which ultimately resulted in a change of leadership.
With elections approaching and key reform demands still unresolved, the political situation in AJK remains tense as dialogue between the government and protest groups remains stalled.
