The announcement of a strike and long march by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on June 9 has intensified political debate in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with the government maintaining that dialogue remains the only viable path for resolving outstanding issues.
The development comes despite ongoing negotiations between government representatives and the committee. Officials say that significant progress has already been made, that 35 out of the committee’s 38 demands have been accepted, while the remaining three involve matters that require constitutional, financial and political consensus rather than immediate executive action.
According to the AJK government’spokesperson, the unresolved demands relate to fiscal policy, constitutional arrangements and broader political consensus, making them unsuitable for resolution through protests, deadlines or pressure tactics.
Government officials have also emphasized that the issue of the 12 refugee seats in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly is a constitutional matter that cannot be settled through street agitation. The seats represent refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and any changes to their status or representation would require constitutional procedures and broad-based political agreement.
The administration has reiterated that peaceful protest is a democratic right, but warned against actions that could disrupt public life, block roads or affect essential services. Officials say that political disagreements should be addressed through dialogue and constitutional mechanisms rather than confrontation.
The government further pointed to a rare political consensus on the issue, noting that both the ruling coalition and opposition parties have expressed reservations about protest politics. The endorsement of the All Parties Conference (APC) declaration by the Azad Kashmir Assembly has been presented as evidence of a broader democratic agreement on maintaining stability and resolving disputes through institutional channels.
Another point of concern raised by officials is the timing of the planned June 9 protest, which coincides with electoral activity. Government representatives contend that any disruption to the electoral process would undermine democratic participation rather than advance public interests.
