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Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been gripped by unrest successful caller days arsenic authorities intensify a crackdown connected the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The situation has escalated sharply pursuing convulsive clashes betwixt protesters and information forces, starring to deaths, arrests and increasing planetary concern.The latest flashpoint came aft the authorities of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) outlawed the JAAC, accusing it of activities detrimental to nationalist bid and security. Since then, authorities person launched a sweeping cognition against the group's leaders and activists. According to Ary News, the PoJK authorities has present announced a reward of Rs 10 cardinal for accusation starring to the apprehension of 4 wanted JAAC leaders — Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Mehran Arshad Khawaja and Sardar Aman.Also read: Pakistani information forces termination atleast 11 protesters; 5 videos uncover chaos
From economical grievances to wide protests
The existent unrest did not look overnight. The JAAC initially gained enactment by campaigning for subsidised flour, affordable energy and alleviation from rising surviving costs. The radical aboriginal expanded its demands, pushing for greater accountability from authorities and law reforms.One of the astir contentious issues present driving protests is the request to abolish the 12 seats successful the PoJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir who settled successful mainland Pakistan aft 1947.
The JAAC argues that these seats person historically allowed large Pakistani governmental parties to power authorities enactment successful Muzaffarabad. According to Dawn, Muzaffarabad witnessed a near-complete shutdown connected Tuesday, with markets closed, roads mostly deserted and dense deployments of riot constabulary and paramilitary personnel. Similar strikes and demonstrations were reported successful Mirpur, Kotli and different districts, wherever hundreds of protesters participated successful rallies contempt the crackdown.
Security crackdown draws planetary attention
The concern deteriorated further aft deadly clashes successful Rawalakot and different areas. Reports bespeak that some civilians and instrumentality enforcement unit were killed during the violence, prompting Islamabad to deploy further national paramilitary forces to the region.PoK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has repeatedly appealed for dialogue. In messages posted connected X, helium urged protesters to instrumentality to negotiations, arguing that disputes should beryllium resolved done treatment alternatively than confrontation.
He maintained that law changes necessitate legislative processes and cannot beryllium achieved done protests alone.The crackdown has besides attracted planetary scrutiny. Members of the Kashmiri diaspora staged demonstrations extracurricular the Pakistani Consulate successful Bradford, UK, accusing Pakistani authorities of utilizing excessive unit against protesters. At the aforesaid time, dozens of British MPs led by Bradford East MP Imran Hussain urged the UK authorities to prosecute diplomatically, citing reports of arrests, connection restrictions and a breakdown successful dialog betwixt authorities and protestation leaders.The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has besides expressed interest implicit the "escalating confrontation" successful PoJK, informing that banning fashionable movements risks shrinking antiauthoritarian space. It called for contiguous de-escalation, an impartial probe into deaths and injuries, and a instrumentality to peaceful antiauthoritarian processes.
