Joint Awami Action Committee escalates protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir

Protests in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir are escalating as the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) prepares for a potential new phase of movement following an October 4 deadline. In Rawalakot, the JAAC has urged residents to stockpile two months of essential food and supplies, signaling anticipation of a prolonged shutdown or the closure of entry points connecting the region to Pakistan.

The unrest, which has continued for over 100 days, saw a large demonstration in Mandhol village where approximately 25,000 people gathered. During the protest, JAAC leader Sardar Aman Khan called for the abolition of the Line of Control (LoC) and demanded the opening of routes to Jammu and Kashmir. Khan criticized the Pakistani military establishment, alleging exploitation of the region's land and people, and stated that Islamabad must treat the territory as a neighbor rather than a subordinate.

The upcoming October 4 date is significant as it marks the anniversary of a previous agreement between the government and the committee, which protesters claim remains largely unimplemented. While the government maintains that progress has been made on legitimate demands, the JAAC has vowed to continue its struggle until its requirements are met.