The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has officially declared the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a banned organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 2014. The decision was announced through a notification issued by the AJK Home Department, which placed the organization in the First Schedule of the anti-terrorism law.
According to the government notification, JAAC, also known as the Joint Awami Action Committee and Awami Action Committee (AAC), has been accused of activities that threaten public peace and security. Authorities claim the group has been involved in creating unrest, spreading fear among citizens, promoting hatred, and contributing to instability within the region.
The notification further stated that the approval for the ban was granted by the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir under Section 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. As a result, the organization has now been formally designated as a proscribed group.
The move comes shortly after JAAC announced plans for a protest on June 9, centered on its demand to abolish the 12 reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly allocated to refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947. The issue has sparked significant political debate across the region.
In response to the planned demonstrations, the AJK government also issued a travel advisory, urging tourists and visitors to postpone non-essential travel between June 5 and June 20. Visitors currently in the region were advised to leave before the weekend to avoid potential disruptions.
Meanwhile, the AJK Legislative Assembly recently passed a resolution supporting the continuation of the refugee seats, describing them as a constitutional and historical necessity. The decision was also backed by the All Parties Conference (APC) and senior government officials, including Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who argued that removing refugee representation would undermine the democratic process.
The announcement comes as AJK prepares for general elections scheduled for July 27, 2026, with nomination papers set to be submitted between June 9 and June 19.
