The banned Joint Awami Action Committee’s call for a strike shut shops and halted public transport across Pakistan-administered Kashmir after clashes in Rawalakot that killed seven people. The unrest followed a court ruling that 12 refugee-reserved legislative seats cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment. Authorities have banned the JAAC, detained supporters, increased security deployments and suspended internet services, while the regional prime minister says he remains open to talks. Tensions are rising ahead of elections scheduled next month.
Strike Paralyzes Pakistan-Administered Kashmir After Rawalakot Clashes Kill Seven
Local residents walk through a closed market during a strike called by an outlawed alliance of activist groups "Joint Awami Action Committee" (JAAC) demanding greater political rights and the abolition of 12 legislative refugee seats, in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)(AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)
Shops and businesses were largely closed and public transport came to a standstill across Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Tuesday after the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) called a strike following deadly clashes in Rawalakot that left seven people dead.
A local resident walks through a deserted bus terminal during a strike called by an outlawed alliance of activist groups "Joint Awami Action Committee" (JAAC) demanding greater political rights and the abolition of 12 legislative refugee seats, in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)(AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)
What Happened
The violence erupted after the Supreme Court of Pakistan-administered Kashmir ruled that 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan are constitutionally protected and cannot be removed without a constitutional amendment. The JAAC, a coalition formed in 2003 that demands greater political rights for Kashmiris and the abolition of those refugee seats, organized protests and had earlier called for a “long march” from Rawalakot to the regional capital, Muzaffarabad.
Local residents walk on an empty road during a strike called by an outlawed alliance of activist groups "Joint Awami Action Committee" (JAAC) demanding greater political rights and the abolition of 12 legislative refugee seats, in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)(AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)
On the Ground
Residents in Muzaffarabad and other towns told The Associated Press that markets were mostly empty and bus terminals stood nearly deserted, though it was not always clear whether people participated in the strike or stayed away from public spaces out of concern for renewed clashes. Witnesses said thousands of JAAC supporters had gathered in Mirpur to travel to Rawalakot before the recent bloodshed.
Local residents walk through a closed market during a strike called by an outlawed alliance of activist groups "Joint Awami Action Committee" (JAAC) demanding greater political rights and the abolition of 12 legislative refugee seats, in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)(AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)
Authorities' Response
Regional authorities have increased deployments of police and security forces, detained dozens of JAAC supporters and suspended internet services in major cities to deter people from joining the planned march. The regional government moved last week to ban the JAAC, citing public order and security concerns. Officials said armed JAAC supporters opened fire on officers during Sunday’s clashes; authorities called the violence the deadliest the region has seen in years.
A local resident walks through a road barricaded with stones by protesters during a strike called by an outlawed alliance of activist groups "Joint Awami Action Committee" (JAAC) demanding greater political rights and the abolition of 12 legislative refugee seats, on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)(AP Photo/M.D. Mughal)
Regional Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said he remained open to talks with the JAAC but noted that changes to the refugee seats and some benefits for officials would require action by the Legislative Assembly because of constitutional constraints.
Context
The refugee seats were established to represent people who migrated to Pakistan from Indian-controlled Kashmir decades ago and are intended to give voice to communities displaced by the long-running dispute over the Himalayan region. The JAAC argues the seats give disproportionate influence to people living outside the territory. Kashmir remains divided between Pakistan and India, both of which claim the region in full; the two countries have fought wars over the territory since independence in 1947.
Tensions have been rising in the run-up to elections scheduled for next month, with political debate intensifying after the court ruling and as the current Legislative Assembly’s term has ended.
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