Awami Action Committee Calls For Boycott Of PoK Polls, Intensifies Rawalakot Protest

Published 27 July 2026 · politics

Awami Action Committee Calls For Boycott Of PoK Polls, Intensifies Rawalakot Protest Reported By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 15:08 IST The committee described the

Awami Action Committee Calls For Boycott Of PoK Polls, Intensifies Rawalakot Protest Reported By, Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 15:08 IST The committee described the electoral exercise as a “sham”, arguing that elections cannot be considered credible while longstanding constitutional grievances remain unresolved Rapid Read The protesters have demanded the official implementation of the Muzaffarabad agreement reached in October 2025. (Screengrab) The political crisis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) deepened on Sunday as the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) called for a complete boycott of the upcoming legislative assembly elections, describing the electoral exercise as a “sham", while intensifying its ongoing protest movement centred in Rawalakot. Rawalakot has emerged as the epicentre of the agitation, with the JAAC’s sit-in entering another week and drawing increasing participation from across PoK. Caravans from Mirpur have joined the protest camp, while social media videos circulating online show large crowds gathering at the demonstration site, suggesting growing public support for the movement.

Seeking to broaden the agitation, the JAAC has appealed to residents of Muzaffarabad, Poonch and overseas Kashmiris to join what it has termed a mass mobilisation campaign. In a show of solidarity, traders and residents in Dadyal announced a complete shutter-down strike on Monday (July 27) in support of the committee’s demands. At the heart of the protest is the committee’s rejection of the PoK electoral process. The JAAC has urged residents to boycott the polls, arguing that elections cannot be considered credible while longstanding constitutional and political grievances remain unresolved. The protesters have also reiterated their opposition to the 12 seats in the PoK Assembly reserved for refugees, an issue that has remained a major point of contention in the region. The committee maintains that the existing arrangement distorts democratic representation. Issuing a sharp warning to the Pakistan and PoK governments ahead of any proposed negotiations, the JAAC said it would no longer accept what it called “political games" or verbal assurances.

While stressing that it remains open to meaningful dialogue, the committee said talks would only be productive if backed by concrete government action. The protesters have demanded the official implementation of the Muzaffarabad agreement reached in October 2025 and have insisted that formal government notifications be issued for all commitments made between June 5 and July 26. The JAAC has also cautioned government representatives against entering negotiations without carrying official notifications implementing the agreed measures, warning that the long march and sit-in would continue until the promises are formally translated into government orders. The latest escalation comes amid months of unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir over governance, political representation and economic issues, with the Awami Action Committee positioning itself at the forefront of the ongoing protests. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations and Security Affairs, Network18 Location: Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: July 27, 2026, 15:08 IST News world Awami Action Committee Calls For Boycott Of PoK Polls, Intensifies Rawalakot Protest Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.