AJK Rights Committee Accuses Govt of Stalling Dialogue, Calls for September 29 Protest
Muzaffarabad — The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), a civil society alliance leading a rights movement in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), has accused Islamabad of showing “no seriousness” in pursuing talks to address its demands.
In a statement issued after a core committee meeting at an undisclosed location on Saturday, the group said it had constituted a negotiation panel after the federal government requested a written invitation for dialogue. However, it alleged that no substantive progress followed and claimed the AJK government — backed by political parties — instead levelled “new and baseless allegations” against the committee, derailing the process.
Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a core member from Rawalakot, read out the declaration in a video message, urging residents of AJK to prepare for a “protest lockdown” on September 29.
The alliance praised overseas Kashmiris for their “vibrant role” in the movement and called on international media, human rights organisations, and observer groups to monitor what it described as a peaceful campaign. It also appealed for solidarity from lawyers, students, and civil society across Pakistan, arguing that “the privileged ruling classes” were the root of problems for both Pakistanis and Kashmiris.
The JKJAAC strongly rejected accusations by the AJK government that it had received funding from India, calling the charge an attempt to discredit its movement. It also criticised authorities for failing to implement two previous agreements reached with the committee.
Abolishing 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan remains the JKJAAC’s central demand.
The group has vowed to press ahead with its September 29 protest unless its concerns are addressed.
