Tension reached its peak in Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad and surrounding areas of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) when the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) called for a “long march” to Muzaffarabad. The protesters allege that to stop them, Pakistani security forces opened fire at many places and fired tear gas shells. On the other hand, the administration says that action was taken to maintain law and order.
JKJAAC (Jammu-Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee) is a civic organization, comprising businessmen, lawyers, students, transporters and other social organizations. This organization has been agitating for a long time regarding demands like expensive electricity, price of flour, taxes, unemployment and improvement in government facilities. It is with these demands that JKJAAC has been protesting against the Pakistani government and army for the last several months.
Why was the Long March carried out?
The organization alleges that the government did not fulfill the earlier agreements and promises made to the public. In protest against this, a long march was announced towards Muzaffarabad. The administration installed barricades at many places, deployed additional security forces and also imposed restrictions on movement to stop the march. Meanwhile, a large number of people gathered in Rawalakot for demonstration.
firing on protesters
According to various media reports, there was a clash between protesters and security forces. As the situation worsened, Pakistani security forces released tear gas shells and there were reports of firing at many places. There have been reports of injuries to more than 30 people and death of 5 people in these incidents. However, the number of dead and injured is different in different sources.
What are the demands?
The protesters are demanding reduction in electricity rates, subsidy on flour and essential commodities, control on inflation, reduction in government expenditure and VIP facilities and implementation of old promises made to the public. The protesters allege that the government is ignoring their demands.
The government is not ready to listen to them
The protesters say that the government is not ready to listen to them. Despite several rounds of talks, no consensus could be reached.
#WATCH | Rawalkot, PoJK: Locals alleged indiscriminate firing by security forces in Rawalkot as a large number of protesters were preparing to march towards Muzaffarabad.
Social media influencer Akil Bhai has told about this incident, in which the situation further pic.twitter.com/FOKszd2R5l
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) July 27, 2026
As a result, rallies and protest marches have intensified in PoJK. The protesters say that the protests will continue until their demands are met.
Assembly elections in two districts postponed till August 10
In view of the ongoing protests, the assembly elections in Sudhanoti and Rawalkot districts have been postponed till August 10. The current situation has further increased the political and administrative uncertainty in PoJK. Now everyone’s eyes are on whether the government will hold further talks with the protesters or the conflict will escalate further.
Situation worsened in PoJK even in 2024
This is not the first time that the people of PoJK have taken to the streets. Even in 2024, there were large-scale protests regarding inflation, electricity rates and flour prices. At that time the protests had turned violent, in which many people died and the Pakistan government had to deploy heavy security forces. After public pressure, the government had to announce an economic relief package.
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