Azad Kashmir protests lead to arrests and partial reopening of shops

After weeks of anti‑government demonstrations in Pakistan‑administered Azad Kashmir, some shops and limited public transport services reopened in the regional capital Muzaffarabad. Protesters, organized by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), have demanded economic and governance reforms, including the abolition of twelve legislative seats reserved for refugees from Indian‑controlled Kashmir. The unrest caused fuel shortages, internet outages and a shutdown of business activity, with traders reporting heavy financial losses.

Security forces arrested JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir on sedition charges after protests that left at least four security officers and three civilians dead. Authorities had banned the group earlier in the month and offered a 10 million‑rupee reward for information leading to the arrest of Mir and other wanted members. The crackdown comes ahead of scheduled elections next month, making the protests a key political flashpoint in the region.