AJK Awami Action Committee- Some Bitter Facts

AJK Awami Action Committee- Some Bitter Facts (Abdul Basit Alvi) The Awami Action Committee emerged in AJK as a pressure group rooted mainly in traders, civil society, and professional circles, gaining prominence in early 2024 through strikes, market closures, and negotiations that resulted in a 23 billion rupee subsidy package aimed at public relief and curbing elite privileges. Public optimism quickly faded as the AAC accused the government of slow and insincere implementation, prompting a sharper confrontation in 2025 marked by 38 new demands and a threat of a complete shutdown from September 29. The most controversial demand was the abolition of twelve reserved legislative seats for Kashmiri migrants from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which critics argue violates the AJK Interim Constitution Act of 1974, weakens Pakistan’s legal and political stance on Kashmir as a disputed territory, alienates migrant Kashmiris who symbolize the broader Kashmiri struggle, and undermines long-standing constitutional arrangements, even though the AAC frames the move as a reform for better representation and governance. At the same time, the AAC’s call to slash political perks and security protocols has drawn warnings from security experts who acknowledge the need to curb excess but stress that AJK’s sensitive location near the Line of Control, its conflict history, and ongoing security threats make certain protections essential, arguing instead for a needs-based, transparent review rather than blanket cuts that could destabilize governance and harm Pakistan’s image. Beyond constitutional and security concerns, analysts warn that the AAC’s reliance on coercive tactics risks eroding institutional authority and normalizing mob pressure, particularly when AJK already benefits from substantial federal support such as subsidized flour and electricity and often receives more per-capita attention than many provinces, at a time when Pakistan faces severe economic strain from debt, inflation, and limited fiscal space. The demand for exclusive control over locally generated hydropower is viewed as especially dangerous, as it could encourage other regions to claim sole ownership of their resources, crippling federal authority, undermining national unity, and exposing Pakistan to external exploitation through propaganda and hybrid warfare. These policy concerns are compounded by growing suspicions about the AAC’s motives, including allegations of political opportunism, personal gain, and possible Indian influence supported by leaked ciphers and audio recordings that, regardless of authenticity, have damaged public trust, alongside public criticism of state institutions by some AAC leaders. The situation has further deteriorated with the documented presence of separatist and anti-state elements at AAC protests, where anti-Pakistan and anti-army slogans have been raised, narratives widely rejected by the Kashmiri majority who see independence as unrealistic and remain deeply connected to Pakistan, valuing its longstanding role in AJK’s security, development, and welfare despite attempts by fringe groups to exploit the AAC platform for divisive rhetoric. In light of these deeply concerning developments, the Awami Action Committee is under a compelling, critical obligation to immediately and publicly distance itself from any and all anti-state actors and to unequivocally refute all serious allegations of foreign influence. Regrettably, the leadership of the AAC has conspicuously and persistently failed to prevent its platform from being hijacked and used against Pakistan and its most vital institutions, often remaining complicit through silence during such anti-state activities. The recent wave of protests has been met with explicit satisfaction and glee in India, where the Indian media has extensively and triumphantly showcased the events as a significant diplomatic coup against Pakistan. It must be clearly stated that actions which bring joy to India, a state directly responsible for systematic atrocities against the Kashmiri people, cannot and will not be appreciated by the victims of those very atrocities. If the Awami Action Committee genuinely maintains its innocence regarding these severe charges, it must take immediate action to publicly and robustly refute the accusations and commit to fully cooperating with any and all legitimate investigations. The restoration of its lost credibility is an impossible task without a firm commitment to genuine and comprehensive transparency. Rather than continuing to resort to disruptive, damaging protests and comprehensive shutdowns, the AAC must make a serious, immediate commitment to constructive, meaningful dialogue with government representatives, independent subject matter experts, and the broader civil society. The Awami Action Committee is currently establishing a highly detrimental and very dangerous precedent by actively seeking to radicalize and influence the youth against the State, its fundamental institutions, and its recognized authority. A growing consensus among independent analysts views the AAC as having evolved into a powerful pressure group determined to blackmail the government through the use of mob power, thereby institutionalizing a toxic precedent where demands are expected to be fulfilled through brute street action and intimidation. Civil society across AJK is voicing increasing and serious concern, openly accusing the leadership of the AAC of deliberately utilizing its platform to radicalize its youth cohort and systematically spread anti-state sentiments. They are seen as deliberately propagating a profound sense of hatred among young people against the state, its administrative machinery, and its institutions, setting a profoundly negative and damaging example that carries the risk of influencing the youth across Pakistan as well. Furthermore, the persistent practice of blocking crucial entry points is also recognized as an extremely dangerous action, given that the Awami Action Committee possesses absolutely no legitimate ownership over the roads to block them unilaterally whenever it chooses. Analysts contend that by deliberately blocking the entry points to AJK, the AAC is clearly signalling its intention to promote and act upon a divisive form of nationalism, either to serve its own self-interests or to advance hostile external agendas. Considering that Kashmir is widely regarded as the "jugular vein" of Pakistan, the act of blocking its entry points is essentially a direct threat to sever this critical, life-giving connection from the body of the state. Such hostile and divisive actions are strongly and roundly rejected by the patriotic people of AJK, who are demanding that the Government ensure all protest activities are strictly contained within established principled and legal limitations. The vast majority of the people of AJK are demonstrably exhausted and fed up with the politics of violent protest and the debilitating "stick culture." These repeated disruptive activities severely impede their daily lives and inflict deep, long-term damage on the crucial local business sector and the region’s vital tourism industry. The Awami Action Committee proceeded with another full-scale strike and shutdown on September 29, causing further economic distress. Moreover, the AAC has been gravely accused of deliberately escalating protests to extreme levels of violence that tragically result in innocent deaths and severe injuries, which it then cynically exploits for further political point-scoring and the continued propagation of hatred against the state machinery among the vulnerable youth. This exploitative pattern was sadly and clearly observed on September 29, when the Awami Action Committee deliberately mobilized the innocent youth of AJK to violently confront the state. In stark contrast, the Federal Government of Pakistan, specifically the esteemed Prime Minister, made a singularly wise and commendable decision by dispatching a very high-level, senior committee to Muzaffarabad, a diplomatic move that was wholeheartedly and warmly welcomed by the people of AJK. This action effectively allowed Pakistan to demonstrate its position as a true well-wisher of the AJK population and successfully thwarted the cynical attempts by the AAC to incite widespread bloodshed. Unfortunately, the Awami Action Committee has little to do with the genuine Kashmir cause or the broader freedom movement. At a time when experts are strongly criticizing the Modi government’s repressive tactics against Kashmiri women leaders, the AAC has remained conspicuously silent. The convictions of Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Aasiya Andrabi and her associates Nahida Nasreen and Fehmeeda Sofi, after they had already spent eight years in detention before a verdict, have exposed India’s harsh system of political repression in Indian-illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Legal experts argue that dissenters are deliberately targeted under draconian laws, forced into prolonged trials far from home, and eventually convicted on weak charges, while the real punishment is inflicted long before any judgment is delivered. They emphasize that the actual “crime” of these women is political, as Andrabi has consistently advocated the Kashmiri right to self-determination and resisted attacks on Muslim identity and religious freedoms. In contrast, the Awami Action Committee has allegedly failed to raise its voice on such core Kashmir-related issues and instead advances demands that do not meaningfully benefit the general public. Although it claims to represent traders, it has been unable to ensure fair pricing or quality standards even for basic food and household items. When the federal government reduces petrol and diesel prices, transportation costs and market prices are rarely adjusted accordingly, further burdening ordinary people. Many citizens believe the AAC functions as a protector of traders and shopkeepers rather than a representative of public interests, acting as a shield for them while neglecting the real problems faced by the population. Critics argue that the committee’s primary objective appears to be pressuring the state and challenging its writ rather than pursuing constructive solutions. The culture of force, intimidation, and disruption associated with the AAC is widely rejected in AJK, where such methods are seen as alien to local traditions. Analysts and concerned citizens stress that Kashmiris should be granted rights equal to those of Pakistanis and that prices and facilities should be aligned with those in Pakistan through lawful means, not coercion. They warn that repeatedly conceding to pressure tactics amounts to allowing the state to be blackmailed. Many believe that constant threats of sit-ins and shutdowns should no longer be entertained, as these so-called leaders lack sustainable solutions and often resort to destructive actions such as damaging electric poles or threatening communication infrastructure. There is a growing view among mature voices that anyone responsible for vandalism or destruction should be held accountable and made to repair the damage at their own expense, rather than being rewarded with political attention. The people of Kashmir, they argue, will ultimately see through hollow leadership that thrives on disruption instead of constructive engagement, and lasting progress will only come through responsibility, restraint, and genuine concern for public welfare. Regrettably, the Awami Action Committee is now sending a powerfully negative and highly damaging message to the youth: the notion that the resolution of their demands can only be achieved through the raw power of the street, mob action, and outright intimidation. This is a fundamentally flawed, dangerous, and unsustainable message that cannot be supported or appreciated by mature, responsible citizens and political analysts. Ultimately, the people of AJK and its youth yearn for peace, progress, and lasting stability, not division, perpetual hostility, or chaos. Having borne the immense, unique burdens of living in a globally disputed region for decades, their collective focus is and should be on sustainable development, securing jobs, improving healthcare, and enhancing education. All political movements must resolutely resist the temptation to become instruments of national disruption or to serve the malicious interests of foreign agendas. National unity, the consistent strengthening of institutional capacity, and adherence to economic realism must serve as the primary and unwavering guiding principles for all reform efforts going forward. If tactics based purely on pressure and coercion are allowed to become normalized, they will inevitably destabilize not just AJK but the entire federation of Pakistan. Only through a sustained commitment to genuine cooperation, unwavering accountability, and honest, transparent engagement can the region hope to move forward in a way that truly benefits both the people of AJK and the national interest of Pakistan. The patriotic people of AJK have strongly and publicly rejected the politics of division and hate, clearly demonstrating their profound isolation from such unsavory and divisive political tactics. The path forward lies not in the cacophony of the street but in the reasoned discourse of dialogue, within the framework of law, constitution, and an undiluted commitment to the greater Kashmiri cause and the integrity of Pakistan.