Political unrest has increased in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoJK) before the July 27 Legislative Assembly elections. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which began as a movement against high electricity and wheat prices, is now demanding greater political rights and institutional reforms.
The group has called for the removal of 12 reserved refugee seats in the Assembly. It claims that an agreement reached with the authorities in October 2025 was not fully implemented.
Pakistan’s administration has banned the JAAC under anti-terrorism laws. It also imposed restrictions, including internet shutdowns, Section 144 orders, and a heavy security deployment. Despite these measures, protests and sit-ins have continued in several parts of PoJK.
The JAAC has announced a boycott of the upcoming elections. It argues that free and fair voting is not possible under the current conditions. The group has also alleged deaths, disappearances, and restrictions on protesters, although these claims have not been independently verified.
The protests have also spread overseas. Members of the Kashmiri diaspora have organised demonstrations in countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, Denmark, and the United States.