AJK rejects strike call as markets, business centres remain open

The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Wednesday rejected a strike call issued by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), with markets and business centres remaining open across the region and public transport and traffic flowing normally.

The call for a shutter-down and "wheel-jam" strike failed to disrupt daily life in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bhimber, Bagh, Neelum and Haveli, where shops, markets, hotels, workshops and other commercial establishments continued their routine activities. The widespread continuation of economic activity underscored the limited response to the strike call, while the overall law and order situation remained peaceful.

In the Mirpur Division, commercial activity remained largely unaffected, with major markets in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber operating as usual. In Mirpur, busy commercial areas including Nangi, F-1, F-2, Mega Mart Road, Chowk Shaheedan, Thothal, Kaliyall and the Old Chungi remained open, while the auto market, vegetable market, grocery stores, marts, hotels and workshops continued business.

Read: Tarar alleges JAAC behind AJK unrest, claims group backed by Indian funding

Traffic and public transport also remained operational across the division, effectively rendering the "wheel-jam" call ineffective. Markets in Nakial, Khoiratta, Sehnsa and Charhoi in Kotli district likewise remained open, with routine commercial activity continuing throughout the day.

Bhimber also witnessed normal business activity, as traders kept their establishments open and residents went about their daily routines without any major disruption.

Similar scenes were reported from Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Bagh and Haveli, where markets remained open, and traffic moved normally on major roads. Government and private offices and other routine activities also continued without significant interruption.

Meanwhile, divisional and district administrations maintained security arrangements at sensitive locations and along key highways to ensure the protection of citizens and preserve public order. Police and administrative authorities kept the situation under continuous watch, while no major incident was reported.

Read More: AJK police say JAAC working under 'specific agenda', accuse protesters of using automatic weapons

The rejection of the strike call and the uninterrupted functioning of markets across AJK marked a return to normalcy, with traders and citizens contributing to the continuation of peaceful civic and commercial life.

Background of JAAC protests

In October 2025, protests led and organised by the JAAC erupted in AJK over demands for constitutional and governance reforms. JAAC presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.

The situation in AJK turned violent after the banned JAAC began protesting and staging a sit-in to demand the abolition of 12 seats in the local legislature reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Clashes were reported between law enforcement personnel and protesters in AJK, with reports of multiple deaths and injuries circulating on social media. Several videos circulating online showed scenes of unrest, with claims of violence and casualties, though the details could not be independently verified. Both security forces and the banned JAAC claimed the loss of life on both sides.

Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

On August 13, AJK Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police Khawar Ali Shaukat said the proscribed JAAC had abducted eight highway police personnel deployed during election duty and warned its leadership against challenging the writ of the state, saying “the state will show no leniency" towards them.

"To ensure the elections remained peaceful, security forces were deployed for election duty. However, they were not only attacked by JAAC members, but eight highway police personnel were also abducted. Those personnel were tortured and remain in JAAC’s custody," Shaukat said while addressing a press conference in Rawalakot.

He said the authorities would ensure that the writ of the state, public safety and the rule of law were maintained under all circumstances.

“The state will not accept any pressure whatsoever when it comes to the lives and safety of these personnel. If the writ of the state is challenged, state institutions’ personnel are subjected to violence, attacked or abducted, or an attempt is made to paralyse the state system, the state will fully fulfil its responsibility through legal and constitutional means,” Shaukat stated.