JAAC Revives Muzaffarabad Long March After Talks End Without Agreement

RAWALAKOT: The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee has announced a fresh long march towards Muzaffarabad after government representatives and state institutions reportedly refused to accept its remaining demands.

JAAC leader Umar Nazir Kashmiri announced the decision following a meeting of the committee’s core leadership. He said supporters from Mirpur Division would reach Rawalakot on July 26, before the march proceeds from Rawalakot towards Muzaffarabad on July 27.

The march is scheduled to begin on the same day that the first phase of the Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections is due to take place in Mirpur Division.

The elections are being held in three phases, with polling scheduled in Mirpur Division on July 27, Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies on August 2, and Poonch Division on August 10. The Election Commission has cited security and administrative requirements for the staggered schedule.

JAAC had temporarily postponed its earlier long-march call to give negotiations another opportunity, while continuing sit-ins at different locations. Its leaders had warned that the march would be revived if the authorities failed to provide written acceptance and a clear implementation plan for the demands discussed during talks.

The committee’s protest campaign has focused on governance reforms, implementation of previous agreements and opposition to the 12 Legislative Assembly seats reserved for refugees residing in Pakistan. JAAC says the arrangement weakens the political representation of people living within Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

There was no immediate detailed response from the government to the latest announcement, while it also remained unclear whether the planned mobilisation would affect polling, public transport or access to voting stations in Mirpur Division.