Pakistan-administered Kashmir faces unrest following JAAC ban

Pakistan-administered Kashmir is experiencing significant political and social unrest led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). What began in 2023 as a dispute over wheat and electricity subsidies has evolved into a broader movement demanding jobs and democratic rights. The movement has seen mass protests, strikes, and roadblocks, particularly in Rawalakot and the Poonch division.

On June 5, 2026, the Pakistani government officially proscribed the JAAC, labeling it a terrorist organization. This designation has granted authorities expanded powers to arrest leaders, restrict associations, disrupt finances, and control communications through internet and phone shutdowns. Amnesty International has criticized the ban as disproportionate and unlawful, stating that anti-terrorism laws are being used to criminalize a grassroots movement campaigning for economic and political rights.

The crackdown has resulted in high casualties, with over 100 deaths reported in sporadic clashes. While the state aims to isolate and criminalize the movement ahead of upcoming elections, the ban has added the reversal of the proscription to the protesters' list of demands.