MUZAFFARABAD — The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Tuesday flatly rejected any possibility of a blanket amnesty for the leadership of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), holding them directly accountable for recent clashes and loss of life.
During a joint press conference, Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and the region’s police chief announced that the state will fully pursue legal action against those disrupting peace. While parts of the region observed a partial strike, authorities emphasized that negotiations cannot happen under coercion or violent threats.
Key Security Updates
- Chief Secretary Khushal Khan confirmed no blanket amnesty will be granted to the proscribed group’s leadership.
- Authorities held the JAAC responsible for recent armed attacks on police checkpoints and a military hospital.
- The government offered several constitutional options, including court recourse, to address the group’s political demands.
- JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has agreed to step in as a mediator following a direct appeal from JAAC leaders.
Political Standoff and Economic Challenges
The deep rift between the state and the banned committee centers on a controversial demand to abolish 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees ahead of the July 27 elections. Despite the government fulfilling the vast majority of the group’s initial charter, the JAAC expanded its demands, severely straining the region’s economy through enforced strikes, road blockades, and demands for unsustainable electricity subsidies.
AJK Crisis Tracker & Fiscal Status
• Legal Status: JAAC banned on June 5 under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
• Core Dispute: Abolition of 12 reserved refugee legislative seats.
• Mediation Track: Maulana Fazlur Rehman requested to lead fresh peace talks.
• Subsidy Burden: Flour and power relief costs the state up to Rs25 billion.
Isn’t this what we’ve been asking from them since Day 1?
We asked them not to leave dialogue. They showed zero flexibility. I personally appealed to them on numerous occasions to call off their lockdown, end their campaign of agitation and return to the table. They ignored.… pic.twitter.com/DPnCaDIeM0
— Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) June 23, 2026
AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore regretted the group’s absolute lack of flexibility during previous rounds of direct dialogue, pointing out the irony of JAAC seeking outside political mediation after protesting against federal interference. The premier warned that any further attempts to march on Muzaffarabad or violently force local businesses to shut down will be met with the full force of the law to restore lasting public order.
