The Emergence of JAAC: A Movement for Change in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir

The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has emerged as a significant force in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, advocating for economic relief and questioning the region's political framework. Initially mobilizing for subsidized essentials, the movement has evolved to challenge the legitimacy of refugee seats in the PoJK Assembly, which critics argue serve as tools for political manipulation. With notable victories, including concessions from the government and a landmark agreement, JAAC's influence continues to grow. This article delves into the origins, achievements, and implications of the JAAC movement, shedding light on its role in reshaping the political landscape of PoJK.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 10, 2026, 15:18 IST

Introduction to JAAC and Its Origins

The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has evolved from a grassroots movement advocating for subsidized electricity, affordable wheat flour, and economic relief into a significant force questioning the political and constitutional framework governing Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

Formation and Structure of JAAC

Protests ignited on May 8, 2023, due to flour shortages, smuggling allegations, and rising costs of essential goods. By August 2023, residents began organizing protests against soaring electricity bills, leading to a region-wide shutdown on August 31. Initially, local action committees and trade unions coordinated these protests, but by September 2023, they sought to unify their efforts.

On September 16, 2023, the leaderless JAAC was officially formed, comprising 31 members from various trade unions and action committees across PoJK's three divisions: Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Poonch. This body serves as the decision-making entity for the movement, strategizing and directing protests throughout the region.

Showket Nawaz Mir, a former head of the Muzaffarabad Trade Union, emerged as a key figure, alongside Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri from Rawalakot and Sardar Aman, previously associated with the JKLF. The organization boasts representation from all ten districts of PoJK, with leaders from diverse social and political backgrounds.

Achievements of JAAC

JAAC's persistent protests led to significant concessions from the Government of Pakistan on May 13, 2024, including a reduction in the price of a 20-kg bag of wheat flour to Rs 1,000 and revised electricity tariffs for domestic and commercial users.

In December 2024, the organization successfully pressured the PoJK government to repeal the Peaceful Assembly Ordinance, which critics claimed restricted their activities. By June 2025, JAAC presented a comprehensive 38-point charter of demands, including the abolition of the 12 refugee seats in the PoJK Assembly, a contentious issue affecting Pakistan's political framework in the region.

A landmark tripartite agreement was signed on October 4, 2025, between JAAC, the Government of PoJK, and the Government of Pakistan, marking a pivotal moment after extensive public mobilization and negotiations.

The Controversy Surrounding Refugee Seats

The Election Commission of PoJK reserves 12 Assembly seats for refugees who fled Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh during the 1947 conflict and subsequent migrations. These refugees, residing in various provinces of Pakistan, elect representatives to the PoJK Assembly despite not living in the territory.

These seats have been criticized as tools of political manipulation, allowing Pakistan's establishment to influence governance in Muzaffarabad. Lawmakers elected from these seats have faced scrutiny for utilizing constituency development funds outside PoJK under the guise of refugee welfare.

Constitutional protection for these seats was granted through the 13th Amendment (Act 2018) to the Interim Constitution Act, 1974, complicating any challenges to their legitimacy.

Political Implications of Refugee Seats

Critics argue that the 12 refugee-seat legislators enable Islamabad to sway political outcomes in PoJK. Since 2021, the territory has seen four prime ministers, highlighting the instability tied to Islamabad's influence.

Pakistan and various pro-Pakistan political factions link the refugee-seat issue to the broader Kashmir conflict, asserting that abolishing these seats would weaken Pakistan's international stance by undermining claims that the political structure in PoJK represents the entire former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Supporters of the current arrangement argue that it is interim and representative, symbolizing populations from areas outside Pakistan's control. However, critics maintain that the refugee-seat system has become a significant means for Pakistan to exert political influence in PoJK.

Former Chief Justice of PoJK, Manzoor Hussain Gilani, has labeled the 12 refugee seats as 'unconstitutional,' arguing that individuals without domicile or tax contributions in PoJK should not participate in the legislative process.