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These protests began in June 2026 when the Pakistani government banned the JAAC movement (the Joint Awami Action Committee.) A grassroots moment calling for among better living conditions for the people of Azad Kashmir.

So JAAC called for region wide strikes in protest which lead to police crackdowns along with the internet and electricity being cut off in the region.

The conflict is barely being covered by the media but it is still going on. On Monday (27th July 2026) the first round of elections were had in the region and unsurprisingly it lead to a lot of violence.

Between today and yesterday it’s been reported that at least 30 people have been killed in Azad Kashmir as a result of the Pakistani armed forces firing on peaceful protesters.

The point of contention here is that 12 out of the 45 assembly seats are reserved for refugees from Indian administered Kashmir who now live in Pakistan. JAAC wish to abolish these seats believing it will give those outside of AJK leverage and influence over those living within it.

“This election is meant for people who actually live in AJK. “These 12 seats sit outside AJK’s jurisdiction. This doesn’t happen anywhere else.” - Kashif Abbasi, a JAAC committee member.

As these elections continue so too does the brutal violence being shown against the people of AJK by the Pakistani government. No one deserves to have their basic rights taken away and be subjected to such cruelty.

Reportedly when Kashmiris are dying in these protests their bodies are taken away from their grieving families in the streets and taken elsewhere where they can’t even be buried.

The Pakistani government want to take everything from Azad Kashmir even their dignity in death.

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