The Unbreakable Spirit of Kashmir: Rising Against All Odds

The latest spate of unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has attracted national and international coverage, with thousands of people going to the streets under the banner of Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The unrests were precipitated by historical frustrations over poverty, unequal allocation of resources, and inefficiency in governance structures and mechanisms. In recent years have seen the protests have risen to be among the largest civilian movements in the region. Starting as a chain of organized protests, the situation soon deteriorated into a chain of violent conflicts with the government, although participants said various times that their movement was not meant to interfere with day-to-day existence, but rather they wanted their fundamental human rights and social justice. The magnitude and the vivacity of the mobilization have been used to shape the socio-political life of AJK as it shows profound frustrations of citizens regarding justice, economic fairness, and political responsibility.

The origins of the current unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) go back to large-scale protests beginning in 2023, caused by skyrocketing electricity rates, inflation, and an increasing feeling of political abandonment. A wide group of traders, transporters, workers, students, and civil society activists organized around the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in August 2023 with the aim of rallying the different groups and demanding substantive changes. Early demonstrations centered on the inequity in the electricity payment, particularly when AJK had a rich source of hydropower and a soaring cost of flour, which were necessities in daily life. Although the struggle was mostly peaceful, there were cases where confrontations with the security forces led to the killing of at least six civilians and many injuries among the protesters. These confrontations underscored the growing rift between the government and the people, and the gunshots on both sides were recorded. The 38-point charter of demands that JAAC issued soon turned into an all-out agenda of affordable electricity and flour, health and education reforms, job creation, an end to elite privileges, and removal of reserved assembly seats that are undemocratic.

The committee stressed peaceful and democratic mobilization by mass rallies, shutter-down strikes, and long marches, which were arranged in all the districts to keep the government on its toes. In late 2023 and 2024, JAAC urged the government with sporadic protests, sit-ins, and talks. Even though the officials purported to have conceded to nearly 90 percent of the demands of JAAC, follow-ups were slow or partial, thus leaving the people with dissatisfaction. The committee, in turn, held a mass protest on 11 May 2024, which included shutdown strikes and demonstrations in large cities such as Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, and Mirpur. These protests took a peaceful stance but attracted the high presence of the police and occasional blackout in communication. At this time, other protesters were also arrested, and a number were even beaten up and dispersed with tear gas, although this did not stop JAAC from gaining more grassroots support. Among the success stories was the reduction in electricity tariffs and flour prices as the initial government concession. Nevertheless, there were numerous problems that were still in the pipeline, such as a lack of enough infrastructure and political reforms, and the abolition of reserved seats. The AJK civic scene was radically restructured in response to the formation and activities of JAAC in the year 2023-2024.

After the establishment of the JAAC and its activities in 2023 and 2024, the protest activity was intensified to a remarkable degree in 2025 in the region. On September 29, 2025, a massive shutdown and wheel-jam strike was announced across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). In these strikes by JAAC, they demanded the full realization of their 38-point charter of demands, structural changes, economic relief, and cessation of privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite. Among the biggest and most controversial ones was the necessity to abolish the 12 seats in the legislative assembly that were reserved for Muhajirs, which was considered discriminatory and prevented fair representation by protesters. The movement brought together the traders, transporters, students, lawyers, and the civil society groups that demanded wholesome reforms in governance and the services offered to the people.

In the early stages of the unrest, certain local media outlets tried to put false reports and information about the protests making them downplaying the grievances and misrepresenting the motives of the movement. Nonetheless, they did not succeed much since they could not manipulate the storyline. In the meantime, the mainstream media in Pakistan reported the events in a general manner, mostly overlooking the magnitude of unrest and violence. However, the international media were very consistent and thorough in their coverage, emphasizing the demands of the protestors and the brutal response of the government. Within a short time, the strike brought to a halt the major cities, including Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Kotli, Mirpur, and Bhimber.

To counter this, the government has put on the ground police and paramilitary troops, shut down roads, and unleashed a total communications blockade on the internet, mobile phones, and other communications to stem the protests. Nonetheless, demonstrators demonstrated phenomenal perseverance since they would drive to locations where internet connection existed and upload videos and updates, and then return to protest sites- virtually using the blackout to their advantage by making their voices heard. Violence continued to rise, and confrontations between tear gas and alleged live ammunition erupted, killing at least nine civilians and injuring hundreds more. The leaders of the protests were often adamant about agreeing with government arguments, stating that most of their demands were met, and that fundamental problems such as the cessation of elite privileges, fair governance, and a reform of the reserved seats were unaddressed.

The demonstrations and disagreements were sustained in most of the districts over a number of days. The government was seriously negotiating with JAAC since October 3 under mounting pressure. This peace accord came with commitments to free all the arrested protesters, offer monetary reparations to the victims, and establish committees to enforce the demands of the charter. JAAC also agreed on government employment for the families of the people murdered in the protests within 20 days and compensation for the injured. The government agreed to spend about 35 million dollars on infrastructure, electricity, and social amenities, and on the part of the government to resolve political reforms, especially on the reserved assembly seat issue.

This movement is the primary fact that the actual strength of Azad Jammu and Kashmir can be seen not in the words of political leaders but in the non-violent, systematic will of the people. Kashmiri people do not just blindly follow any politician and back any leader without proper knowledge of their rights and legal means to get them. Their conscious and collective strategy has brought them to history, as it compelled the government to listen and have a substantial dialogue. They have demonstrated that the real power lies in disciplined civic activism, which is grounded in justice and fairness, and those changes can be brought in by peaceful struggle and perseverance. Their struggle is the spirit of persistence and desire to win, and they can teach us that the democratic power is in the hands of people who are united by a definite goal and vision. This is a grassroots movement that can be described as a demonstration of the power of standing up for dignity and conviction even amidst adversity.

Long live Azad Kashmir! Long live Pakistan! These two cannot be separated because one cannot be complete without the other. Culturally, historically, and by fate, Pakistan and Azad Kashmir are the strong and hopeful pillars. Pakistan Zindabad! Azad Kashmir Zindabad!