PoK Crisis: JAAC Sets July 23 Deadline Over Unmet Demands, Warns Of Further Escalation | Exclusive
PoK Crisis: JAAC Sets July 23 Deadline Over Unmet Demands, Warns Of Further Escalation | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 23, 2026, 12:03 IST
PoK Crisis: JAAC Sets July 23 Deadline Over Unmet Demands, Warns Of Further Escalation | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 23, 2026, 12:03 IST As the Rawalakot sit-in continues, JAAC has warned of a fresh escalation unless the PoK and Pakistan governments act on its demands. Rapid Read Supporters of JAAC gather as they shout slogans during a protest in Rawalakot, in PoK. (Image: AFP) The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has warned of a fresh escalation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) if the authorities fail to address its demands, as its protest sit-in continues in Rawalakot. The committee said its leaders would make an important announcement on Thursday regarding the current situation, key developments and the movement’s future course of action. JAAC leaders have accused the authorities of illegally detaining and torturing activists, carrying out forced disappearances and demolishing homes and shops. They have also demanded the immediate release of detained leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir and other protesters. JAAC Warns It Will Not Wait Much Longer JAAC core member Umar Nazir Kashmiri said the committee had been assured on July 15 that its concerns would be addressed within a few days. “On July 15, we were promised that all issues would be resolved within a few days," Kashmiri said. “If our issues are not resolved by tomorrow, we might announce a future course of action," he added. Kashmiri warned that the committee was not prepared to wait indefinitely for the authorities to act. “No one should have any ambiguity that we will wait for much longer," he said. Describing the situation as a confrontation between the public and the authorities, Kashmiri said, “The PoK Joint Action Committee and the public are in a state of war." Call For July 23 Rallies The JAAC has called upon Kashmiris within the region and overseas to participate in rallies on July 23 in memory of those killed during the protests and in solidarity with the injured and detained activists. “On July 23, we will pay tribute and homage to our captives, the injured, and our martyrs," Kashmiri said.
“I appeal to the Kashmiris within the state and overseas to come out in maximum numbers to pay tribute to our martyrs," he added. Talks Held, But No Formal Proposal Yet In a separate video message, JAAC core member Khawaja Mehran said discussions had taken place on different days and at several levels, with the committee keeping its doors open for dialogue. “For anyone who wanted to talk, we kept our doors open because this is a public mandate, and the issues belong to the public. Whoever wanted to hold a dialogue or talk, our doors remained open to them; we were present inside, and we could talk with anyone," Mehran said. He said a delegation from an overseas organisation, led by its chairman Syed Qamar Raza, had approached the committee with a proposal for dialogue. “Recently, a delegation arrived from an overseas organization led by Chairman Syed Qamar Raza, bringing a message that they wanted to hold a dialogue," Mehran said. “A positive response came from their side stating that they want to take this dialogue forward and resolve this issue through these talks," he added. Mehran maintained that the committee had not adopted an inflexible position during the discussions. “At every stage and every location, we did not show any stubbornness whatsoever. We are simply standing for our fundamental rights and legitimate demands, and that struggle continues," he said. Committee Agrees To Wait For Response According to Mehran, those involved in the discussions sought a few more days to secure a response from the Pakistan government and other influential authorities. “They asked for a few days of time. We say with full responsibility that we will certainly wait for that time, and we will wait with good intentions, for the government, the ruling class, and those who play a key role in running the Government of Pakistan; to see what positive response comes from their side. Until then, people, friends, and loved ones will have to wait," he said.
The BriefWire