JKJAAC Announces July 15 Long March Towards Muzaffarabad After Talks Deadline Passes

MUZAFFARABAD, July 9, 2026: The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has announced a long march towards Muzaffarabad on July 15, after the expiry of its July 8 deadline for negotiations with the authorities.

According to the announcement, the long march will begin from Rawalakot and move towards Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Jammu Kashmir (PaJK). The committee said the decision was taken after no meaningful progress was made on its demands within the deadline set for talks.

The announcement follows earlier warnings from JKJAAC representatives that the movement would announce its next course of action if there was no serious engagement by July 8. Arab News previously reported that JAAC leaders had warned of a possible march towards Muzaffarabad if the government failed to negotiate a settlement by that date.

The committee’s demands include governance reforms, political representation, economic relief, reduction of official privileges, and the abolition of 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan. The movement has argued that these seats influence the political process in PaJK despite being contested outside the territory.

The planned march comes amid weeks of unrest across Pakistan-administered Jammu Kashmir. Earlier, towns and cities across the region witnessed strikes, road blockades and demonstrations following clashes between protesters and security forces. Reuters reported that Muzaffarabad and other areas were brought to a standstill during a strike called by the recently banned civil society alliance, with authorities deploying security forces and initiating cases against senior leaders.

The PaJK government declared the Joint Awami Action Committee a proscribed organisation under the region’s anti-terrorism law in June, accusing it of activities prejudicial to peace and security. The committee has rejected the ban, maintaining that it is a people-led rights movement.

Authorities have previously stated that they are willing to hold talks on several issues but have maintained that certain constitutional matters, including the reserved refugee seats, require legal and legislative procedures. Protest leaders, however, say the government has failed to address the core demands raised by the public.

The long march announcement is expected to increase pressure on the administration, especially as tensions remain high in several districts. Rights groups and residents have also raised concerns over internet restrictions, arrests, road closures and the use of force during earlier phases of the protest movement. Reuters cited Amnesty International’s concern over what it described as a sweeping crackdown, including internet shutdowns, mass arrests and deadly use of force.

No detailed official response to the July 15 long march announcement was immediately available. However, previous government statements have warned that while peaceful protest is a right, authorities will act against any disruption of public order or damage to public property.

The coming days are likely to be critical as both sides decide whether to return to negotiations or move towards another confrontation. For now, JKJAAC says the long march will proceed towards Muzaffarabad unless its demands are addressed.