Civil rights activist Sardar Aman Khan, leading the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) against the Pakistan administration's economic blockade, has appealed to people in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu, as well as the union territory of Ladakh, to stand in solidarity with PoK residents on July 5. On that day, the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a PoK-based civil rights group, plans to hold fresh demonstrations against widespread human rights abuses.
Khan Alleges Severe Crackdown and Food Blockade
In a video message, Khan alleged that Pakistani authorities had launched a severe crackdown on protesters and even stopped food supplies to pressure the movement. "We have faced atrocities. Our food has been stopped," he said, urging people across J&K and Ladakh to support PoK residents in their struggle. The appeal comes amid continuing protests across PoK, particularly in Muzaffarabad and Rawalkot.
JAAC's 38-Point Charter of Demands
The JAAC is an umbrella organization leading the civil movement through a 38-point Charter of Demands. Key demands include economic reforms and an end to unequal distribution of local resources. On June 30, addressing protesters in PoK's Rawalkot, Khan had hinted that locals could seek closer ties with India if the situation worsens further.
Thousands Protest in Rawalakot
The protests, seen as a massive setback to Islamabad's control over the region, saw thousands of demonstrators gather at Eidgah ground in Rawalakot on June 30. They protested that PoK is not a part of Pakistan and explicitly warned the administrative regime of a permanent shift in allegiance toward India if conditions deteriorate. Addressing a cheering crowd of thousands, Khan declared that "PoK is not a part of Pakistan. We do not need Pakistan. Rather, it is Pakistan that desperately needs PoK." He added, "If the Pakistani establishment continues to block food, let it be known that the remaining borders of PoJK could open up. If that happens, Islamabad will find itself begging the people of PoJK to stay."
Public Uprising Driven by Systemic Repression
The public uprising has been driven by a 38-point charter of demands targeting decades of systemic state repression, crushing inflation, and administrative neglect. For over three weeks, protesters have occupied the Rawalakot grounds, demanding absolute freedom from Pakistan's illegal occupation, sources said. As a retaliatory measure, the Pakistani government has suspended internet services across the region since June 5. However, the state-sponsored digital blackouts have failed to curb the unrest.
Global Solidarity and Calls for International Intervention
The agitation has triggered widespread solidarity demonstrations by the global PoK diaspora outside various Pakistani embassies and high commissions across the world. Local leadership has made it clear that the civil rebellion will neither halt nor back down until the regional capital, Muzaffarabad, and the entirety of PoK are completely liberated from Pakistani administrative control.
Last month, the JAAC, whose leaders were attacked and detained by Pakistani security forces on June 5, days before their planned march to Muzaffarabad on June 9 to protest various public-centric issues, urged the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to convene an urgent Special Session on the human rights situation in the region. According to sources, the JAAC further sought deployment of a UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions for an independent investigation into alleged killings that took place between June 5-9 in PoK.
Urging European Union (EU) intervention, the JAAC also sought issuance of formal démarches to Islamabad demanding immediate cessation of live fire against civilians. The civil rights group also requested the EU to demand the release of all detained JAAC members arrested solely for peaceful assembly.
