MIRPUR (Kashmir English): Political analyst Ghulamullah Awan has raised serious concerns about the direction of the Joint Public Action Committee, claiming it is now under the control of a specific group that is pushing its own agenda rather than focusing on public demands.
In a recent statement, Ghulamullah Awan said that certain individuals within the committee are using the platform to advance their own goals. He mentioned that he has highlighted this issue several times in his video blogs, warning that the original purpose of the committee is being compromised.
He noted that the committee recently updated its charter of demands and announced a possible wheel-jam strike across Azad Kashmir if those demands are not met by September. However, Ghulamullah Awan pointed out that the committee is now receiving less support from the public because some of the new demands do not reflect the people’s priorities.
“In the past, people supported the committee because it focused on basic issues like electricity, flour, and daily needs,” said Ghulamullah Awan. “But now the agenda seems to be changing, and the public is noticing.”
He also revealed that a show-cause notice was issued to Qari Shehzad, a key committee member, after he stated in a speech that they would not speak against Pakistan or its armed forces. According to Ghulamullah Awan, this action shows how the committee is targeting members who refuse to adopt anti-Pakistan positions.
He added that people are no longer satisfied with the committee’s direction and have decided to attend upcoming protests on August 10 carrying Pakistani flags to make it clear that their demands are purely related to their rights—not against the country.
Ghulamullah Awan warned that if the committee plans to enter future elections while continuing with this agenda, it is unlikely to receive public support. “When the Pakistani army was defending the borders, the Joint Action Committee was nowhere to be seen,” he remarked.
He concluded by saying that his comments reflect his personal opinion and are not meant to oppose anyone directly.
