Protests in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir: JAAC Demands Justice
In the Bagh area of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) organized protests and an awareness campaign. They demanded the implementation of an agreement with the PoJK government, which was signed on May 13, 2024. This agreement promised reduced electricity tariffs and more control over taxation and decision-making for the JAAC.
Amjad Ayub Mirza, a JAAC activist, stated that the PoJK government began arresting activists after the agreement, causing disillusionment among the people. The protests also highlighted cases like that of Ahmed Farhad, a poet abducted by Pakistani security forces, and Asma Batool, accused of blasphemy for sharing a poem on Facebook.
The JAAC is demanding the withdrawal of charges against its activists, which have been filed over the past two years across PoJK.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir -: This is a region that is part of the larger area of Jammu and Kashmir, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan. It is currently administered by Pakistan.
JAAC -: JAAC stands for Joint Awami Action Committee. It is a group of people who come together to demand certain rights or changes from the government.
Agreement with PoJK government -: This refers to a deal made between the JAAC and the government of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The agreement was supposed to provide benefits like cheaper electricity and more local control over taxes and decisions.
Amjad Ayub Mirza -: Amjad Ayub Mirza is an activist, which means he works to bring attention to issues and fight for people’s rights. He is involved in the protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Electricity tariffs -: Electricity tariffs are the prices people have to pay for using electricity. The agreement promised to reduce these prices for the people in the region.
Disillusionment -: Disillusionment means feeling disappointed because something you believed in or hoped for did not happen. In this case, people are upset because the government did not keep its promises.
