PoJK Govt Bans Awami Action Committee Under Anti-Terror Law Ahead Of Major Protest

Last Updated:June 06, 2026, 01:06 IST

The ban comes just days before the JKJAAC's strike from June 9 over what it claims is the government's failure to honour commitments made under the Muzaffarabad Agreement.

In a major development, the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) government has banned the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), a prominent rights group that has led protests against rising prices, governance issues and resource allocation policies in the region.

CNN-News18 has accessed the official notification issued by the PoJK Home Department, which places the JKJAAC on the First Schedule as a proscribed organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2014.

According to the notification, the decision was approved by the President of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the grounds of public safety and security. The government alleged that the organisation was involved in activities that created “fear, chaos and hatred" and posed a threat to public order.

The order also bans all aliases and affiliated organisations linked to the Awami Action Committee. Authorities have warned of strict legal action against anyone associated with the group.

The notification has been circulated to the Pakistan Federal Interior Ministry, deputy commissioners, senior police officials and counter-terrorism authorities across Muzaffarabad, Poonch and Mirpur divisions.

Ban Comes Ahead Of Fresh Protest Call

The ban comes just days before the JKJAAC’s planned indefinite strike from June 9 over what it claims is the government’s failure to honour commitments made under the Muzaffarabad Agreement.

The agreement was signed after widespread protests in September and October 2025 between the Pakistan federal government, the PoJK administration and the Awami Action Committee.

The 32-point charter reportedly included demands such as lower electricity tariffs, wheat subsidies, hydropower royalty payments, abolition of elite privileges and broader governance reforms.

According to sources in PoJK, several key commitments remain unimplemented, triggering fresh unrest across the region.

Talks Fail, Protests Back On Track

JKJAAC leaders, led by Shaukat Nawaz Mir, had earlier warned the government to fully implement the agreement by May 31, 2026.

Multiple rounds of talks between committee representatives and government officials reportedly failed to produce a breakthrough. Following the collapse of negotiations, the organisation rejected official claims of progress and announced plans for an indefinite agitation beginning June 9.

The group has accused authorities of delaying implementation of reforms and ignoring public grievances related to inflation, electricity prices and resource distribution.

Ahead of the protest call, Awami Action Committee leaders publicly alleged that the Pakistani establishment could resort to arrests, enforced disappearances, anti-terror cases, internet shutdowns and deployment of paramilitary forces to suppress dissent.

Attempt To Contain Public Anger: Indian Intel Sources

According to Indian intelligence sources, the ban reflects an attempt to contain growing public anger in PoJK through coercive measures rather than addressing underlying economic and governance concerns.

The sources alleged that the use of anti-terror laws, criminal cases and restrictions on activists mirrors tactics employed in other restive regions of Pakistan. They also claimed that communication blackouts and restrictions on protests would amount to a curtailment of freedom of expression.

JAAC Rejects Government Claims, Defends Protest Call

The Joint Awami Action Committee has strongly rejected claims by authorities that a majority of its demands under the Muzaffarabad Agreement have been implemented.

In a statement, the group said reports suggesting that dozens of demands had been fulfilled were “baseless and fabricated."

“The claims circulating that 35 demands have been approved are completely baseless and fabricated. Not a single core demand has been genuinely implemented. It is all mere paperwork and empty promises designed to mislead the public and sabotage the movement," the statement said.

The organisation asserted that it was acting as the legitimate voice of the people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who were frustrated by rising inflation, economic hardships and what it described as systemic exploitation.

“The Joint Awami Action Committee is not playing into anyone’s hands. It is the rightful voice of the people of Azad Kashmir who are tired of systemic exploitation, skyrocketing inflation and the deprivation of their basic rights," the group said.

Defending its call for an indefinite strike from June 9, the committee said peaceful protests were a democratic right and warned against attempts to suppress dissent through legal action or force.

“Peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, not stubbornness. Resorting to threats of legal action or force will not silence the masses," the statement added.

The group urged authorities to focus on addressing public grievances instead of what it called “false narratives", saying the government must deliver tangible relief rather than make “hollow announcements" if it wants to restore stability in the region.

About the Author

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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