The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), a coalition of civil society activists campaigning for rights in Pakistan
occupied Jammu and Kashmir declared on Friday
that it would organize long marches towards the territory’s entry
points on Saturday, following the failure of talks with the government
A ministerial team began preliminary talks with the core committee
of the JKJAAC in Muzaffarabad late Thursday, after a widespread
wheel-jam and shutter-down strike across the region. However, no
substantial progress was achieved, prompting the civil society
coalition to urge the public to maintain the strike until Friday noon.
On Friday, a partial and peaceful strike took place across the region.
Private transport was limited, public transport on major routes was
still suspended, and many shops in urban areas remained closed.
After Friday prayers, JKJAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir addressed
hundreds of people at Lal Chowk in Muzaffarabad’s Upper Adda,
revealing plans for long marches towards the region’s entry points.
He announced that the march from Muzaffarabad division would
head towards Brarkot, the entry point connecting with Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa’s Mansehra district.
In the Poonch division, the marches would move towards Kohala (on the
Bagh-Abbottabad border), Tain Dhalkot, and Azad Pattan, linking
Poonch and Sudhnoti districts with Rawalpindi. There was no
immediate information available regarding the Mirpur division, Dawn
reported.
Mir permitted traders to reopen their shops until 11 am on Saturday,
giving residents a chance to make essential purchases before the
lockdown took effect.
He criticized the government for its “stubbornness” in refusing to
release detained activists and revoke what he called a “black law,”
claiming these actions were part of a strategy to incite unrest in the region. “The government mistakenly thinks the people have grown
tired and will no longer support JKJAAC,” he said.
This platform has empowered the public by raising awareness of their
rights and helping them distinguish between right and wrong,” he
stated.
PoJK Information Minister Pir Mazhar Saeed responded
to the JKJAAC’s accusations, describing their demands as rigid.
“The government suggested a procedural release of detainees and
proposed addressing concerns about the controversial presidential
ordinance through a broad-based consultative committee.
“Agreeing to hold talks is one thing, but refusing to budge from your
demands is another. They must abandon their inflexibility,” Saeed
added.
Later in the evening, the information minister, joined by two cabinet
colleagues, held a press conference where he reiterated the
government’s invitation to the JKJAAC for meaningful negotiations.
“The talks have not failed; the first session simply ended without a
conclusion,” he stated.
Acknowledging the democratic right to protest, he urged the JKJAAC
to act responsibly. “You may stage sit-ins, but please avoid blocking
roads, as it would impact patients, students, travelers, and citizens
from all walks of life,” he added.
Saeed emphasized that the presidential ordinance had no validity
after being suspended by the Supreme Court and questioned why
there was still controversy over something that no longer existed,
Dawn reported.
In Bagh, Hafiz Tariq Mahmood, a leader of local traders, declared that
they would not take part in Saturday’s lockdown
Shops will remain open, and public transport will continue as usual,”
he was seen telling a gathering in a video clip. Meanwhile, Bagh
Mayor Abdul Qayyum Baig and Deputy Mayor Afraz Gardezi held a
press conference, where they condemned the chanting of anti Pakistan slogans during protests, calling such actions “unfortunate and unacceptable.”
“It is ironic that the youth are being manipulated in this way. If
sensible individuals don’t take action, we could face a disaster we
cannot afford,” warned Baig, a retired major.
Questioning the protesters’ motives, he said, “If they are truly
passionate, they should cross the Line of Control (LoC) and confront
the Hindus who are slaughtering our people. Those inciting unrest
here to serve Hindu interests will face resistance from responsible
citizens.”
The mayor praised traders for their decision to keep their shops open
and called on the government to deploy administrative resources
across districts to protect those who wish to continue business.
Deputy Mayor Gardezi supported addressing the public’s genuine
concerns but cautioned against encouraging chaos and anarchy.
Information Minister Saeed also praised Bagh traders for their “wise
decision
