A protest movement in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, is organizing global demonstrations on July 5 to raise awareness of escalating crackdowns by Pakistani security forces.
A protest movement in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) has called for demonstrations around the world on July 5, with organisers seeking to draw international attention against escalating crackdown by Pakistani security forces. The appeal comes amid continuing protests in the region led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which says it is campaigning peacefully for fundamental rights.
Call for Worldwide Protests
At a large gathering in Rawalakot, Advocate Mehrah Khawja criticised Pakistan’s military and urged members of the Kashmiri diaspora, particularly in the United Kingdom, to organise demonstrations.
According to a report by ANI citing videos of the event, Khawja said there was “no law” authorising the army to kill civilians and criticised the country’s leadership, saying it should step down because it lacked the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue. “I request that on July 5, all the Kashmiris who are overseas raise their voices. From Birmingham to London, all Kashmiris must raise their voice,” he said.
Khawja also accused Pakistan of exploiting the region’s resources while failing to address local grievances. He called for the closure of shops and public spaces in support of the protest movement and criticised rising prices and internet shutdowns in the region.
JAAC appeals for support
Another video cited in the report showed Sardar Aman Khan, identified as a core member of JAAC, calling on people across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan and the wider region to support the protests.
In the video, Khan said: “Through this message, I am addressing the people of the Kashmir Valley… To the people of Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Jammu, the Valley, Ladakh, and Kargil.” He alleged that residents of PoK were facing oppression for demanding basic rights. “For demanding their basic rights, the cruelty, injustice, massacre, and military aggression committed against the people here have reached their peak,” he said. “In this extremely difficult phase, our food supply routes are closed, our medicine routes are closed. Even on the act of breathing, the rulers and forces here are in such a rage, questioning why the people here are even breathing.”
He appealed for support for demonstrations planned on 5 July, adding: “Certainly, you must come out, speak up for our rights, and raise your voice against this cruelty and injustice.”
On June 30, the JAAC criticised Pakistani authorities after an opposition delegation was reportedly prevented from entering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The committee said the move reflected what it described as restrictions on democratic rights and political dissent. It also alleged that authorities had blocked food supplies and restricted access to the region.
The JAAC says its campaign is a peaceful movement focused on securing fundamental rights and has pledged to continue demonstrations until its demands are met.
Amnesty International Concerns
The protests come as human rights organisation Amnesty International criticised Pakistan’s treatment of political activists ahead of regional elections in PoK.
Amnesty condemned what it described as the authorities’ use of excessive measures to suppress peaceful political dissent and criticised the decision to designate the JAAC as a “proscribed organisation”.
The organisation said the ban represented a disproportionate restriction on freedom of association and peaceful political activity.
Activists involved in the protests have also alleged that the authorities have imposed an economic blockade, restricted travel into the region and used drones to monitor protest camps. They have called for a boycott of regional elections scheduled for 27 July.
