The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has reaffirmed that general elections scheduled for July 27 will be held as planned, even as tensions continue to simmer across parts of the region following weeks of protests and unrest.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Mirpur, government spokesperson Chaudhry Guftar Hussain and AJK Police spokesperson DIG Irfan Masood Kashfi said authorities remain committed to public welfare, the rule of law, and peaceful dialogue, according to APP. They emphasized that the government has consistently preferred negotiation and reconciliation when addressing public grievances.
Officials pointed to an agreement reached on October 4, 2025, under which the government accepted 38 demands put forward by the now banned Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee (JAAC), describing them as being in the broader public interest. However, they alleged that the group later shifted its focus toward what they termed “anti-state activities,” leading to its eventual ban.
On the ground, however, many residents describe a different reality. A 36 day sit-in and widespread protests, largely driven by economic hardship, rising prices, and demands for basic services, have disrupted daily life across the Poonch Division and beyond. Road blockades have limited access to food, medicine, and fuel, leaving ordinary people struggling to meet basic needs.
Authorities say restoring order has been a priority. Kashfi stated that security forces faced resistance, including gunfire, while attempting to clear blocked highways and reopen vital routes. He also alleged that some protest related incidents involved attacks on supply trucks, fuel theft, and looting, arguing that such actions undermined peaceful protest.
Yet for many in AJK, the unrest reflects deeper frustration. Protesters and civil groups have voiced concerns over governance, economic inequality, and access to essential services, creating a tense atmosphere across the region.
As election day approaches, the government insists that democratic processes will continue uninterrupted. Still, the situation highlights the fragile balance between maintaining law and order and addressing the grievances of a population seeking relief and representation in Kashmir.
