Tension is rising in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after the Jammu–Kashmir Awami Action Committee (JAAC) called for an indefinite strike starting June 9.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of protests held in September last year over what the group described as severe economic distress and administrative failures in the region.
Following those protests, a tripartite “Muzaffarabad agreement” was signed between the Pakistan government, the PoK regional administration and JAAC, with the stated aim of addressing public and civil society demands.
However, JAAC has alleged that many of the agreement’s key assurances have not been implemented even after several months. The group said the final deadline for action ended on May 31, and accused the authorities of betraying the commitments made.
With talks failing to yield results, JAAC has now renewed its agitation by calling for an open-ended strike from June 9, triggering fresh uncertainty in the region.
