Anti-Pakistan unrest intensifies in PoK, JAAC leader seeks India's help; demand raised to open the LoC
A JAAC leader in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has appealed to India for humanitarian assistance and demanded the opening of the Line of Control as protests against the Pakistani administration continue.
Islamabad (The Uttam Hindu): Amid continuing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) leader Sardar Aman Khan has appealed for improved engagement with India and requested humanitarian assistance for residents facing shortages of essential supplies. He alleged that following recent protests, the Pakistani authorities had created conditions resembling an economic blockade, leading to shortages of food, medicines, and other necessities.
Aman Khan urged New Delhi to facilitate humanitarian aid and called for controlled movement across the Line of Control (LoC). He said that if conditions deteriorate further, civilians should have the option of crossing into India for safety and assistance.
A video circulating on social media allegedly shows Aman Khan saying that people in the region urgently need India's help because of shortages of food and essential supplies. He also claimed that the actions of security forces had created a serious humanitarian crisis in the region. However, the authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.
Addressing a public gathering at Eidgah Ground in Rawalakot, Aman Khan reportedly asked the crowd whether they should march towards the Line of Control. According to reports, the audience responded in support. He also warned that if peaceful demands continued to be met with force, people might be compelled to explore other options.
The JAAC leader also demanded that the LoC be opened in the Poonch and Doda sectors, alleging that Islamabad's policies had worsened the hardships faced by local residents.
Large-scale protests against the Pakistani administration have continued in PoK over the past month. At a recent rally in Rawalakot, demonstrators reportedly raised slogans demanding greater freedom and expressing dissatisfaction with Pakistan's governance of the region.
Political analysts believe that what began as a movement focused on local grievances and economic reforms has gradually evolved into broader political opposition to Islamabad's control. They say the protests reflect growing dissatisfaction between residents and the region's Pakistan-backed administration.
According to reports, the Pakistani administration declared the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) an unlawful organisation on June 5 and labelled it a terrorist group as part of efforts to curb the protests.
A recent report by the International Center for Peace Studies stated that Pakistan has historically maintained political influence in PoK and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) through mainstream political parties. The report noted that the repeated electoral victories of Pakistan's ruling parties in these regions have drawn scrutiny from observers.