MUZAFFARABAD: People across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have rejected the agenda of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), viewing it as an attempt to undermine the democratic process and weaken the representation of Kashmiris living in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Elections have been announced in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with nomination papers due to be submitted on June 9 and polling scheduled for June 27. The elections will provide the Kashmiri people with an opportunity to elect their representatives through a democratic process.
However, the Joint Action Committee is trying to sabotage this democratic process.
In a vlog discussing political developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, senior journalist Tayyab Baloch argued that the Joint Awami Action Committee’s activities coincided with developments following India’s revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, which ended the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as an autonomous territory.
“When one connects the dots, the origins of this movement can be traced back to India’s decision to revoke Article 370 in August 2019, ending the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” Baloch said.
He said that India then worked to create unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir by encouraging the formation of the joint action committee.
The action committee’s opposition to the refugee seats aligns with India’s agenda, Baloch said. Referring to the remarks of India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, he said that efforts to abolish the refugee seats are aimed at weakening the representation of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir within Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s political system and ultimately undermining the Kashmir cause.
According to Baloch, the federal government engaged with the action committee through a high-level negotiation committee comprising leaders from major political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
He said that of the 38 demands presented by the committee, 35 were accepted, while differences remained on three issues, including the status of 12 refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Baloch described the refugee seats as a constitutional symbol of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947 to avoid Indian forces’ oppression, injustices and brutalities.
“These 12 seats represent Kashmiris living in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Any move to abolish them would weaken their political representation and undermine the broader Kashmir cause,” the senior journalist said.
He questioned why a traders’ committee would seek changes to constitutional and political arrangements instead of participating in elections.
“If they want political change, they should contest elections and seek a mandate from the people rather than create unrest through protests,” he added.
Baloch further said that Azad Jammu and Kashmir receives substantial financial support from the federal government. He said the region generates around Rs 70 billion revenue annually in taxes against a budget of approximately Rs 300 billion, with the federal government providing the remaining Rs 230 billion resources.
He also highlighted subsidies on electricity, flour and other essential commodities, arguing that residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir benefit from significant government support.
According to Baloch, the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have largely rejected the Joint Action Committee’s position on refugee seats and other constitutional matters.
“The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir understand the importance of these seats and have rejected attempts to weaken the Kashmir cause,” he said.
He maintained that Pakistan had consistently supported the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir through infrastructure development, education, subsidies and diplomatic advocacy for the Kashmir cause at international forums, including the United Nations.
Baloch said that efforts to abolish the refugee seats were in line with objectives pursued by Indian leaders and would ultimately weaken the political voice of Kashmiris living under Indian occupation.
“The issue is not merely constitutional; it concerns the representation of Kashmiri people living in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Removing these seats would damage the Kashmir cause,” he said.
He said that the people of Azad Kashmir have largely rejected the action committee’s extremist and disruptive elements.
