AJK protests

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has been gripped by strikes and shutdowns following the promulgation of what protesters say is a controversial Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024. The ordinance, which imposes a harsh seven-year jail term on peaceful protesters, has ignited widespread backlash, with the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) – a coalition of civil society organisations – leading the charge. Their demands are clear: repeal the ordinance, which they argue infringes on the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and upends the delicate balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding civil liberties. Although the AJK Supreme Court has temporarily suspended the ordinance, strikes and protests persist, reflecting deep-seated frustration among the people. The government’s response has been inadequate, a misstep reminiscent of the unrest in May this year, when protests over inflated electricity bills and taxes spiraled out of control. Then, a delayed response cost lives and inflicted injuries before belatedly addressing grievances with a Rs23 billion grant.

This time, the stakes are even higher. AJK, often held as an example of autonomy and fairness in contrast to the oppressive regime in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), cannot afford the fallout of mishandling this situation. Any escalation risks not only unrest but also feeding the false equivalencies drawn by India and its sympathisers. The contrast between Pakistan’s treatment of Kashmiris and India’s decades-long suppression in IIOJK is stark and undeniable. While the people of AJK enjoy democratic freedoms, including the right to self-governance, India has used brute force to silence voices in IIOJK. This is why Pakistan must not even appear to mirror any authoritarian tendencies in AJK. This is also why it is encouraging that on Saturday the government said that it had agreed to release prisoners and form a broad-based committee to discuss the ordinance. This is how to resolve an issue such as this one.

The right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of any democratic society. It allows citizens to express their grievances and hold their leaders accountable without fear of repression. Suppressing this right sets a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in institutions. To restore calm and maintain Pakistan’s moral high ground, the government must engage with the JKJAAC in good faith. Rather than resorting to punitive measures, it should address the root causes of unrest, demonstrate transparency, and reinforce its commitment to democratic values. In the past, all stakeholders have shown maturity and resolved crises responsibly. The same approach is needed now. Pakistan’s treatment of AJK has always been a point of pride, a testament to its respect for the will of the Kashmiri people. Let it not falter now. AJK’s autonomy must be protected, its people’s rights upheld, and their grievances addressed with urgency. This is not Modi’s India – never has been, and never will be. As Pakistan navigates this moment, it has an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to democracy and civil liberties. Let this crisis be resolved peacefully and responsibly by both sides.