Muzaffarabad, Sunday, September 28, 2025 – The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has announced a complete AJK protest lockdown across Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, September 29, 2025, to press demands for long-denied fundamental rights, while the government gears up with flag marches and heavy deployments in Muzaffarabad and district headquarters to maintain order.
The escalating tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir underscore deep-seated grievances over resource allocation and political autonomy in the Pakistan-administered territory, with potential ripple effects on regional stability in South Asia. As federal authorities intervene, the AJK protest lockdown risks amplifying calls for reform in the disputed Kashmir valley, drawing international scrutiny to unresolved disputes between India and Pakistan.
Preparations Intensify for AJK Protest Lockdown
Armed police and paramilitary forces conducted flag marches through major towns in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, September 28, 2025, ahead of the JKJAAC’s called shutdown. These exercises spanned nearly all district headquarters, including Muzaffarabad, with contingents stationed at entry and exit points to cities and sensitive locations. The measures aim to prevent disruptions during the AJK protest lockdown, which organisers describe as a peaceful demonstration against decades of perceived rights deprivation.
Traders’ associations in the region have pledged to forgo their weekly holiday, keeping shops open on Monday to enable residents to stock up on essentials before the potential closure of businesses and transport. This gesture seeks to soften the economic impact of the AJK protest lockdown on daily life.
The JKJAAC, a coalition of civil society groups, has been mobilising support through public addresses.
On Sunday, leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir toured neighbourhoods in Muzaffarabad, such as Plate, urging participation. “Let it be clear once again: we are not running a campaign against any ideology or institution, but for the bona fide rights of our people that have been denied for over seven decades under one or the other pretext,” Mir stated during one gathering.
He further emphasised that the AJK protest lockdown would deliver a “loud and clear message that enough is enough,” hinting at contingency plans if demands remain unmet.
Government Gears Up with Strict Security
As the AJK protest lockdown approaches, the government has ramped up its response, deploying approximately 2,000 federal police personnel to the region in recent days. Officials confirmed that strict security protocols are in place, with no tolerance for actions that could escalate into disorder. Divisional Commissioner Chaudhry Guftar Hussain noted recent “open-hearted” dialogues between federal and AJK ministers with JKJAAC representatives, but stressed, “Disorder and lawlessness benefit no one.”
District Magistrate Mudasser Farooq echoed this stance, warning that “No one will be allowed to disrupt public life or free movement,” and adding that maintaining peace is a collective duty of administration, police, and citizens. He also highlighted the priority of safeguarding state property, including vehicles and machinery, during any unrest.
In a high-level meeting earlier this month, the AJK government devised an integrated strategy to counter the JKJAAC’s call, focusing on firm action against road blockages, provocative statements, or threats on social media. Official sources indicated that while negotiations on the group’s 38-point charter of demands remain open, authorities will act decisively against threats to law and order.
The federal government has reinforced this approach, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office issuing a communiqué on Thursday, September 24, 2025, affirming that “the government of Pakistan intends to assist in resolving the impending issues peacefully and amicably.”
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ameer Muqam and Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry were dispatched to Muzaffarabad to facilitate talks, which convened on Wednesday, September 25, 2025, in the Services and General Administration Department’s committee room.
The session, lasting over 13 hours with prayer breaks, involved nine JKJAAC core members from divisions including Muzaffarabad, Poonch, and Mirpur, alongside AJK ministerial representatives from PML-N, PPP, and PTI Forward Bloc, with Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan and Inspector General of Police Rana Abdul Jabbar present. Despite the extended discussions, JKJAAC maintained its commitment to the September 29 action.
Background
The JKJAAC’s charter of demands centres on economic relief, such as subsidies on wheat and electricity, and greater fiscal autonomy for Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These issues trace back to long-standing complaints of marginalisation since the region’s establishment in 1947.
Recent talks, including those on September 25, represent the latest in a series of federal-AJK engagements, but breakdowns have kept the AJK protest lockdown on track. Some AJK leaders have accused the alliance of pursuing external agendas, though without direct attribution in official channels.
The government’s gearing up reflects broader concerns over potential spillover from the protests, especially given the strategic importance of Azad Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control. No reports of arrests or injuries have emerged as of Sunday evening, but vigilance remains high.
What’s Next
With the AJK protest lockdown set to commence at dawn on Monday, September 29, 2025, further federal mediation could resume if tensions ease overnight. Observers anticipate monitoring for compliance with security directives, while JKJAAC vows a non-violent observance. The outcome may influence upcoming negotiations on the full charter, potentially averting escalation.
In conclusion, the impending AJK protest lockdown tests the balance between public expression and governance in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as the government gears up to navigate this critical juncture without compromising stability.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 28th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram, and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
