Tension increases over the death of protesters in PoK, JAAC announces big agitation on 23 July

UN Concern On PoK: The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Tuesday said that the voluntary bandh and chakka jam strike is continuing. Describing July 23 as a very important day, the organization has appealed to the people to join the protests in large numbers. JAAC called upon the people to join the protest with full force demanding implementation of their demands and to pray for those killed during the agitation.

The organization criticized the authorities, alleging that those in power were responsible for the deaths of those who were killed for demanding their rights.

Salute to the determination of the people of Kashmir

JAAC said in a post on social media platform The rulers are murderers of those who were killed for demanding their rights. Dozens of people were murdered, but the rulers fell on deaf ears. The reason for this is their lust for power. We will continue the peaceful struggle without any compromise with the blood of our martyrs. We appeal to the people not to fall prey to the false promises of these cunning and deceitful rulers.

Special appeal to the people of Muzaffarabad-Mirpur

Appealing to the people of Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions to join the protest, JAAC wrote on X that the people of Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions should protest with full force on 23 July. On July 23, an important announcement will be made regarding damaging the democratic process and imposing deceitful, cunning and hypocritical people on the public through fake elections at gunpoint.

In another post, JAAC said Jibran Mushtaq Faram Tarar, a resident of Rawalkot, who was undergoing treatment in Islamabad, died. According to the organization, he died after being shot by security forces.

The trip was postponed last week

Earlier last week, after the death of more than 30 people in the ongoing unrest in PoK, JAAC had postponed its proposed long march till July 21. The organization had given the last opportunity to the Pakistan government to fulfill its demands. After the July 14 deadline passed, JAAC mobilized thousands of supporters to march towards Muzaffarabad. A large number of women and children also participated in this demonstration. Convoys from across the region had reached Rawalakot and other protest sites.

However, the march was postponed after talks with Pakistan government officials. The organization had warned that if concrete steps were not taken then the long march towards Muzaffarabad would be started again. At the same time, protests will continue in various parts of PoK.

UN expressed concern

On 17 July, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed grave concern over violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association amid the growing unrest in PoK. Dozens of people have been reported dead and many others injured in the recent violence.

Jeremy Lawrence, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement that criminalizing a civil society organization and imposing stringent restrictions on public gatherings raises serious concerns about violations of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Detained JAAC leaders should be entitled to legal aid and contact with their families. At the same time, their rights to due legal process and a fair trial must be fully protected.

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Deep concern over the reaction of Pakistani authorities

Expressing deep concern over the Pakistani authorities’ response to the protests, the UN Human Rights Office said the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is one of the movements behind the protests. This includes traders, transporters, students, lawyers, activists and others. They are accused of threatening public order and security and were banned under anti-terrorism laws. Some leaders of the group were later arrested.

With agency input…