MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has ruled out any possibility of holding further negotiations with the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and restored previously withdrawn FIRs against the action committee members.
As per details, the AJK government had withdrawn FIRs against 177 members of the Action Committee involved in violent disruptions to support the dialogue process after all the previous talks, including the negotiations held with the group in October last year.
However, the government’s Law and Justice Department has now issued a notification to restore those cases relating to ‘protest and agitation of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee’.
“Pursuant to the decision of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, taken during its 41st meeting held on 5th of June 2026, the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has been pleased to accord approval to withdraw the notifications regarding cases relating to protest and agitation of the Proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee before various competent criminal courts in Azad Jammu and Kashmir,” the notification stated.
According to high-level government sources, the decision comes after a review of the recent law and order situation and developments linked to protests and unrest in parts of Azad Kashmir.
As per the details, on October 4, 2025, the action committee agreed with the government’s negotiation committee that their demands would be resolved through the implementation committee, which will have members from the federal, AJK government, and the JAAC.
It was also agreed that protesting, pressuring, and creating chaos by coming to the streets will be considered a violation of the agreement. As the banned action committee has violated the agreement, their previously withdrawn cases were reinstated, government sources said.
Officials maintained that there would be no concessions under pressure and stated that those involved should surrender and face legal proceedings.
Moreover, sources said that fresh FIRs are being lodged against JAAC members who are involved in the ongoing protests.
More than 400 arrests have already been made by LEAs, and some JAAC leaders have surrendered to police, declaring that the current actions of JAAC are not what they endorse, sources added.
Authorities maintained that incidents involving deaths and injuries during recent clashes would be examined and addressed through the legal process, with accountability to be determined under applicable laws and investigation procedures.
