The complete shutdown protest called by the Joint Awami Action Committee in Pakistani-Occupied Kashmir (POJK) has ended on the fifth day. The committee called off the strike after demanding the immediate release of all arrested individuals and the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the brutal killings during the protests and to punish those responsible.

During the end of the strike, solidarity was expressed with the families of the martyrs, and prayers were offered for the departed souls.

Five days of intense protests

For the past five days, businesses and transportation across POJK had come to a standstill in response to the strike against high electricity and flour prices. The situation turned tense when protest caravans from different areas converged on Muzaffarabad, leading to clashes between protesters and police as well as Rangers.

Following these events, the Pakistani establishment, convinced of its defeat, approved a relief package of 23 billion Pakistani rupees for POJK to address the issues, resulting in reduced electricity and wheat flour prices.

A high-level meeting chaired by Imperial Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was held at the Prime Minister’s House to address the situation in POJK. The meeting, attended by representatives of the occupying POJK government and its Ministry of Interior, along with other key officials, approved the 23 billion Pakistani rupee relief package.

Following the approval of their demands, the Joint Action Committee officially announced the end of the protest. Over the past five days, the strike for affordable electricity and flour led to intense clashes between protesters and police. The use of tear gas, batons, and live fire by the police resulted in at least five deaths and 90 severe injuries among the protesters.

Rights protests across POJK

The strike was initially announced by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Action Committee following the arrest of at least 70 individuals during raids last Thursday. As a result of the protests and strikes, all businesses, offices, and educational institutions across POJK were closed.

The latest development comes after almost an year of protests and civilians raising demands. At first, the protest were completely ignored and the tariffs on electricity were increased unprecedentedly. But after the Awami Action Committee announced mass movement towards Muzaffarabad and their demands escalated to ‘either rights or no rule’, Islamabad took cognisance of the matter, only to conduct a merciless suppression of the protest, killing five individuals. But due to unwavering courage and determination of the enslaved Kashmiris, Islamabad eventually succumbed to their demands.

Pakistan gas a record of making false promises

Nonetheless, approval of the package doesn’t means that the problems of Kashmiris have been solved as the control of the fund would be directly in the hand of occupying government, which is a puppet at the hands lf Pakistan Army.

Moreover, similar protests in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan which resulted into the occupying government’s assurance clearly show that these announcement are only made to diffuse the intensity and fervour of protests and they never fructify in favour of native population.

Amid escalating tensions in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), service of internet have been suspended. Reports from Mirpur indicate that the occupying Pak government has halted internet services across the entire region.

In response to the suspension, protesters have begun dismantling various mobile network towers in cities like Mirpur and Muzaffarabad. The protesters assert that POJK is experiencing its worst period, with Pakistan forces using excessive force. They claim that the suspension of internet services is a failed attempt to silence the voices of the region’s residents, providing cover for Pakistan to deploy its forces throughout Kashmir.

Sources report that both Rangers and Pakistan Army units have already entered POJK. There are also concerns about Pakistan forces establishing regular positions in nearby forests, a development deemed alarming by local observers.

The situation remains highly volatile, with the internet blackout contributing to the unrest. The protesters’ actions and the increased military presence underline the severe and deteriorating conditions in the region.

The situation in Muzaffarabad has escalated dramatically as Pak Army began firing live rounds at protesters, killing 3 Kashmiris on Monday. More than 30 people have also been injured.

The unrest in Muzaffarabad intensified as protesters set Ranger vehicles on fire. In response, Rangers opened fire on the crowd, leaving at least 30 people injured and resulting in the deaths of three protesters. The atmosphere in the city has become highly volatile, with fears of further violence looming.

This came after Pakistan announced a multi-million dollar grant to provide urgent economic relief to the Kashmiris on Monday. The incident clearly shows that while Pakistan government seemed kneeling down in front of the demands of POJK Joint Awami Action Committee, the real controller of Pakistan, the Pak Army took revenge on people for their loss.

Adding to the tension, four helicopters carrying Pakistan Army commandos arrived in Muzaffarabad. Local sources confirm that Special Services Group (SSG) personnel were on the scene, further heightening the sense of urgency and danger.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing reports of clashes and a heavy military presence in the city. The protests, which began as a peaceful demonstration for basic rights, have now turned into a deadly confrontation, marking a significant escalation in the region’s unrest.

Meanwhile, the Kashmiris living in Britain also started to protest against Pakistani establishment outside its assembly in London.

After the initial hurdles due to Pakistani FC forces’ crackdown on peaceful civilians protesting for basic rights, multiple processions from across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) are converging towards Muzaffarabad.

The processions are reaching Muzaffarabad from various regions, including Kotli, Poonch, Dadyal, Rawalkot, Mirpur, Tattapani, Bagh, and Hajira.

As protesters marching towards Muzaffarabad reached Rawlakot on May 12, the Pakistani Establishment extended an invitation to the POJK Joint Awami Action Committee leadership for a dialogue. The dialogue, which took place in Rawlakot, saw representation from the Establishment, including the GOC Murree, some Pakistan Army Officers stationed in Pakistani Occupied Jammu Kashmir (POJK), and the Chief Secretary of Pakistani Occupied Jammu Kashmir.

Despite the dialogue, the POJK AAC’s demands were not accepted by the Establishment, resulting in the failure of the negotiations. Consequently, the committee decided to persist with their Long March.

As the protesters arrived in Dhirkot, they took a moment to rest before setting off once again towards Muzaffarabad today, continuing their journey and their pursuit of their demands.

Additionally, a procession from Bagh is also on its way to reach Muzaffarabad, where the marchers have shown great resilience and remained undeterred by bad weather and rains.

In an address to the public, Awami Action Committee leader Shaukat Mir emphasized that the movement is about rights, attributing credit to the people of Poonch who initiated the demand in the early days. He stressed that the fight for rights should continue and that the rights of the people remain paramount and cannot be compromised for personal gains.