PoK Protest: The fire of discontent has once again flared up in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The situation here is worsening day by day. On the call of Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a massive protest is going to be held in the region on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in which lakhs of people are likely to gather.
The main reason for the latest tension is the arrest of civil rights activists and opposition leaders by the administration. JAAC is demanding the immediate release of its arrested leaders and workers. Additionally, there is an acute shortage of basic food items and essential medicines in the region. The protesters allege that the administration has deliberately blocked the supply chain of ration and medicines to suppress the movement.
JAAC core member Sardar Aman Khan has issued a video message in this difficult time, appealing to the people on the other side of the Line of Control (LoC) i.e. Indian territory of Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh to show solidarity and raise their voice against this injustice.
Anger flared up on Pakistani government
Addressing a huge public meeting, JAAC leader and advocate Mehrah Khawaja launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan government. He alleged that Islamabad has been ruthlessly exploiting the natural resources of PoK for a long time, but when the local people talk about their rights, instead of redressing their grievances, force is used on them.
Prices of basic commodities like electricity, flour and fuel are skyrocketing in the region. At the same time, the Pakistani government shut down internet services to suppress these protests, due to which there is huge anger among the general public. Due to all these reasons there is huge anger among the general public. Local leaders have also appealed to Kashmiri migrants living in Britain (London and Birmingham) to take to the streets to highlight this oppression on the international platform.
Human rights organizations expressed concern
Global human rights organizations have expressed concern over this changed environment just before the regional elections to be held in PoK. Amnesty International has strongly criticized the Pakistan government, saying that brutal tactics are being used to suppress peaceful political dissent. Violating the fundamental rights, the government has declared ‘JAAC’, an organization running a mass movement, as a banned organisation, which is being condemned all around.