Rawalakot Protest Reportedly Dwindles Amidst Continued AJK Shutter-Down Strike
Officials claim that a days-long protest in Rawalakot by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is visibly shrinking, with many participants having reportedly departed. Concurrently, a shutter-down strike has entered its seventh consecutive day across several cities and towns in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), including Muzaffarabad, significantly impacting commercial activity and public transport. Internet outages have hindered banking operations, and medical supplies are reportedly short in some districts. The AJK Legislative Assembly is scheduled to meet to discuss legislation, regional peace talks, and a recent helicopter crash.
Officials in Rawalakot stated on Monday that a protest led by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) appears to be winding down. According to these officials, who spoke anonymously, the central gathering at Eidgah Ground has steadily shrunk, with most participants from outside areas having left. Those remaining are primarily local residents who attend in the afternoon and depart late at night.
Law enforcement personnel have reportedly only engaged armed activists. Officials ruled out negotiations with the proscribed group, stating that its members must either surrender or face legal action. Curfew-like restrictions have been eased in parts of Rawalakot, allowing shops to open for limited hours to assist residents.
Across other parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), a shutter-down strike continued for its seventh consecutive day on Monday, affecting cities and towns including Muzaffarabad. Both inter-city and intra-city public transport services remain suspended throughout the region, though private vehicles and motorcycles are moving freely on mostly empty roads.
The ongoing suspension of internet services has significantly impacted banking operations, leaving many residents unable to access cash. In some urban areas, shops have reportedly operated with partially raised shutters around sunset. Additionally, reports from several districts indicate severe shortages of medicines at pharmacies due to disrupted supplies from Abbottabad and Rawalpindi. Mobile fruit and vegetable vendors using Suzuki pickup trucks have begun serving customers in some localities.
A senior administration official stated that the government would not force shopkeepers to reopen but would facilitate those willing to operate mobile outlets. The official emphasized that shopkeepers should not object if the government permits mobile vendors to conduct business.
Separately, the AJK state government has called a session of the AJK Legislative Assembly for 2pm on Tuesday. Legislative Assembly Secretary Amjed Latif Abbasi stated that the agenda includes legislation for the regularisation of ad hoc and B-1 employees, following cabinet decisions made on June 5. The assembly is also expected to discuss resolutions concerning Pakistan’s role in facilitating peace talks between the United States and Iran, as well as a recent helicopter crash in Muzaffarabad.
(Source: Dawn Pakistan)
