JKJAAC Calls for Ongoing Shutdown in PoJK Amid Determined Protests

The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has once again asked residents of Pakistan‑occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) to keep a voluntary shutdown and a wheel‑jam strike in place. The message, posted on X, says the sit‑in protesters are still pushing hard to see their demands met.

According to the committee, people there have been living through a string of hardships – injuries during clashes, curfews that lock streets, and an economy that’s barely holding together. Yet, they claim, the community remains surprisingly united, organizing daily blockades and rallies.

JKJAAC also warned supporters not to be swayed by rumors floating around on social media about secret negotiations. “We have always welcomed genuine, purpose‑driven talks and we will keep doing so,” the statement read, “but the focus must stay on the movement’s core objectives.”

The group promised that any concrete progress in talks would be announced through an official press release from the Jammu and Kashmir Joint People’s Action Committee, not through unverified tweets or meme‑filled posts.

The current unrest is rooted in long‑standing grievances: soaring electricity bills, dwindling subsidies, high flour prices and a feeling that the region’s political voice is being sidelined. Those issues sparked a wave of protests in 2024, when the Awami Action Committee rallied for cheaper power and relief on basic commodities.

As the shutdown drags on, daily life in PoJK is markedly slower – schools remain closed, markets are empty and traffic is at a standstill. Still, many locals say they will stay the course until the authorities address the core concerns.

The situation remains fluid, and observers caution that the mix of economic pain and political alienation could keep the streets of PoJK lively for some time yet.