AJK outlaws JAAC following protest call

Centre asked to send 14,000 additional law-enforcement personnel to maintain order

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI:

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Friday proscribed the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JK-JAAC) under anti-terrorism laws, as the state administration moved to tighten security ahead of a planned protest call on June 9.

The AJK Home Department issued a formal notification placing the JK-JAAC under the First Schedule of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Terrorism Act, 2014, effectively banning its operations along with all associated nomenclatures, following the presidential approval.

"The Government of AJ&K has reasonable grounds to believe that Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JK-JAAC), also known by the names Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and Awami Action Committee (AAC), is engaged in terrorism," the notification stated.

It further alleged that the organisation had acted "in a manner prejudicial to the peace and security of the State" and had been "involved in creating anarchy in the State by intimidating the public, promoting hatred and creating a sense of insecurity in society and the public at large".

Officials said the decision followed an assessment of material deemed sufficient to indicate activities harmful to law and order. Citing Section 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2014, the notification confirmed the group's formal inclusion in the First Schedule, with all alternative names covered under the ban.

The Home Department said legal action would follow in accordance with the law, while copies of the notification were circulated to all the relevant authorities in Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, as well as the Poonch and Mirpur divisions of the state.

Authorities reiterated that maintaining public order remained a priority, stating that no organisation would be allowed to "endanger public peace, security or the administrative order of the state" as enforcement measures are implemented across the region.

Against this backdrop, the AJK government has also sought reinforcement of 14,000 additional law-enforcement personnel from federal and provincial agencies ahead of the June 9 protest call, while issuing a travel advisory for visitors.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary and Interior Secretary, AJK Inspector General of Police Captain (retd) Liaquat Malik said the JK-JAAC had announced protests and a long march, requiring manpower beyond existing district-level deployment.

The request includes 6,000 personnel from the Frontier Constabulary, 5,000 from Pakistan Rangers, 2,000 from Islamabad Police and 1,000 from Sindh Police. The letter states that 60% of deployed personnel should be equipped with anti-riot gear, including tear gas guns and shells, while 40% would remain armed, with deployment sought for 15 days from June 7 to June 21.

Subsequently, more than 650 Islamabad police personnel were summoned to Police Lines Headquarters under emergency arrangements in an initial phase of deployment, with officials directing them to report in plainclothes.

The AJK government also advised tourists and outsiders to avoid travelling to the region and urged visitors already present to leave immediately ahead of the protest period. The advisory will remain in force from June 5 to June 20, with authorities stating it is intended "to save visitors from any unexpected situation or inconvenience".

Meanwhile, political and administrative authorities in AJK have expressed reservations over the protest call, stating that most of the committee's demands have already been addressed through institutional mechanisms.

Officials said 35 out of 38 demands raised by the committee had been accepted or implemented, while progress continued on remaining issues through established forums, including a Monitoring and Implementation Committee and an independent Committee of Experts constituted to deliberate on sensitive constitutional matters.

The government said it had pursued negotiations and relief measures, including compensation payments to affected families, subsidies on wheat, reduction in property taxes, open merit in education and recruitment, and adjustments in administrative structure and financial reforms.

It further stated that certain demands relating to taxation, revenue systems, refugee seats and official privileges required constitutional and legal processes rather than street agitation, adding that these matters were already under structured consultation.

Authorities accused the committee of rigidity and warned that any attempt to disrupt the electoral process on June 9 would be treated as an attack on democratic norms, particularly as the date coincides with the start of nomination filings for the July 27 general elections.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also rejected the demand attributed to the action committee regarding abolition of 12 seats reserved for Pakistan-based Kashmiris in the AJK Legislative Assembly, calling it an attempt to undermine the electoral process ahead of the polls. In a post on X, he said raising such a demand before elections amounted to sabotaging the democratic framework.

Observers and officials further argued that the committee's continued boycott of institutional dialogue and implementation forums had intensified tensions, noting that its refusal to engage with designated committees had hindered resolution efforts.

They said the Monitoring and Implementation Committee had remained active in reviewing agreed terms, while an expert panel on refugee seats had been constituted for legal deliberation, but participation from the action committee had been inconsistent.

Authorities maintained that turning away from formal mechanisms while calling for a wheel-jam strike on the opening day of the nomination process risked obstructing candidates and disrupting administrative functions during a critical electoral phase.

With enforcement measures now being rolled out alongside heightened security arrangements, the AJK administration has reiterated that maintaining law and order, protecting public movement and ensuring the continuation of electoral activity remain its central priorities in the days leading up to June 9.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)