At least 11 people have been killed and more than 70 injured in clashes between protesters and governmnet forces in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, highlighting growing tensions over political representation, governance and regional autonomy.
The violence erupted in Rawalakot, the main city of Poonch district, ahead of a major protest called by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a civil society alliance that was recently banned by the regional government.
What triggered the latest unrest?
The immediate trigger is a dispute over 12 reserved seats in the Legislative Assembly of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These seats are allocated to refugees and their descendants who migrated from Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir to different parts of Pakistan after the 1947 conflict.
JAAC argues that these seats should be abolished because the representatives do not live in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and therefore should not influence decisions affecting the region. The group says all assembly seats should be filled by residents of the territory.
However, supporters of the existing arrangement argue that the reserved seats are an important part of Pakistan’s position on the “Kashmir dispute”. They contend that refugees from Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir remain stakeholders in the region’s future and deserve political representation.
What did the court decide?
The controversy intensified after the Supreme Court of Pakistan-administered Kashmir ruled that the 12 reserved seats are protected under the region’s constitutional framework and cannot be removed without a constitutional amendment.
The ruling effectively blocked efforts to challenge the seats through the courts and added momentum to calls for street protests.
What is JAAC?
The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee emerged as a prominent protest platform in 2023, bringing together traders, activists and civil society groups.
Initially, the movement focused on economic issues such as rising electricity prices, wheat shortages and inflation. It later expanded its agenda to include governance reforms, accountability and political representation.
The organisation has repeatedly mobilised large protests across Pakistan-administered Kashmir and has submitted a 38-point charter of demands to authorities.
The regional government recently declared JAAC a banned organisation under anti-terror legislation, accusing it of threatening public order and security. JAAC rejects those allegations and describes itself as a peaceful rights movement.
Why are the protests significant?
Analysts say the current crisis reflects deeper frustrations that go beyond the dispute over reserved seats.
Many residents have voiced concerns over economic hardship, governance, resource distribution and the degree of autonomy enjoyed by Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The refugee-seat issue has become a focal point for wider debates about who should represent the region and how political power should be distributed.
The unrest also comes ahead of legislative elections, making the dispute politically sensitive.
What happened during the clashes?
According to officials, clashes broke out after protesters and government forces confronted each other in Rawalakot.
Authorities said police personnel and a civilian were killed after armed individuals opened fire, while several protesters were also killed during the security response. Dozens of people, including police officers and civilians, were injured.
JAAC leaders have accused authorities of using excessive force, while officials maintain that security forces acted to restore law and order.
What happens next?
Despite the ban and heightened security measures, JAAC has continued with plans for further demonstrations. Authorities have deployed additional security personnel and issued travel advisories in parts of the region.
With the legal dispute unresolved and broader grievances still simmering, the crisis has evolved into a wider debate over political representation, governance and the future direction of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
The coming weeks are likely to determine whether dialogue can ease tensions or whether the region faces further confrontation.
