On July 5, 2026, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) witnessed unprecedented unrest as thousands of residents took to the streets in massive anti-Pakistan rallies. The demonstrations were organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a prominent civil rights group, in response to the recent arrest of senior JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir. The group demanded his immediate release and protested against what they termed as a widening crackdown by Pakistani authorities.
Despite heightened security measures, nearly 40,000 people, including women, children, and elderly residents, gathered at the Sardar Ghulam Hussain Khan Sports Stadium in Abbaspur. Similar rallies and sit-ins were reported from several other parts of PoK, with large groups continuing to arrive at a protest site in Dera Ismail Khan. The JAAC stated that the protests aimed to demand fundamental rights and oppose growing political repression. Demonstrations also spread overseas, with members of the Kashmiri diaspora staging rallies in countries including New Zealand.
The protests marked a sharp escalation in the weeks-long agitation led by the JAAC, which has accused the Pakistani administration of suppressing peaceful dissent. The latest demonstrations come amid reports of mass arrests, increased surveillance, and calls for a boycott of local elections due later this month.
The JAAC alleged that Pakistani security forces opened fire and shelled a civilian gathering at Dudial's AMB area, leaving several protesters seriously injured. It also accused authorities of arresting hundreds of activists following the detention of Shaukat Nawaz Mir. In a post on social media, the JAAC wrote, "Ghulam is under their control. Shah is in captivity...", urging people to join the campaign under the hashtag ReleaseShoukatNawazMir.
Videos circulating on social media showed JAAC core member Sardar Aman Khan appealing for support, claiming residents were facing shortages of essential supplies. He urged people from neighboring regions to assist, stating, "On this side, there is a shortage of rations, a shortage of medicines, and we need your help. We need your help." In another speech, he urged supporters to remain resolute and warned authorities against using force, saying, "On this Kashmiri spirit and political stance, if the response is bullets, then we also have options. Don't complain tomorrow, don't express regret tomorrow that you felt bad."
Ahead of the protests, the JAAC appealed for peaceful demonstrations across PoK, urging residents to carry white flags and maintain discipline. The committee estimated that if around 50,000 people from each of the region's 10 districts participated, turnout could reach 500,000. "Come out peacefully for your rights. Hold a white flag, demonstrate discipline, and maintain peace," the committee said, adding that the aim was to show the international community that "we are only demanding our rights, and our protest is completely peaceful."
The situation in PoK remains tense, with international observers closely monitoring the developments. The use of force against protesters has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which have called for an independent investigation into the incidents. The Pakistani government has yet to respond to these calls, and the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the unrest.
The events in PoK have also sparked discussions on social media platforms, with users expressing solidarity with the protesters and condemning the use of force by security forces. The hashtag #ReleaseShoukatNawazMir has been trending, reflecting the widespread concern over the situation. As the protests continue, the international community awaits further developments and hopes for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
In conclusion, the recent unrest in PoK underscores the deep-seated grievances of the region's residents regarding political repression and economic hardships. The violent response by security forces has only intensified these sentiments, leading to widespread protests and calls for change. The coming days will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the situation and the potential for dialogue and reconciliation.