MUZAFFARABAD/ISLAMABAD: Life came to a standstill in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday as a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike called by the Public Action Committee (PAC) brought the region to a halt, with markets, transport, and communication services shut down amid mounting public discontent.
Shops, hotels, and commercial centres across Muzaffarabad remained closed, while public transport disappeared from the roads. Although schools were officially open, classrooms were largely empty as students stayed home. For the second consecutive day, internet and mobile phone services remained suspended across AJK, while even landline telephone connections were cut off — further isolating residents.
The PAC has issued a 38-point charter of demands, including ending 12 reserved seats for refugees and rolling back “privileges of the elite”. However, the protest took a violent turn in several areas. In Battal, workers allegedly stopped an ambulance, leading to the death of a patient, Muhammad Sadiq. Police sources also confirmed that armed protesters attacked a peace rally organised by the Muslim Conference in Muzaffarabad, injuring at least 11 people.
Law enforcement agencies reported that PAC workers attacked police with firearms and weapons. A crackdown has been launched, with authorities vowing strict legal action against those damaging property or disturbing public life.
Police sources claimed that most citizens did not support the strike and that violent miscreants from the PAC exploited the protest, injuring several civilians who were later hospitalised.
Meanwhile, a protest demonstration by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), a coalition of opposition parties from Azad Jammu Kashmir, in Islamabad, turned violent on Monday, leading to a clash with police and the arrest of 15 activists. The incident, which took place outside the National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad highlighted the escalating tensions between authorities and demonstrators in the federal capital.
According to police sources, the protest began peacefully but quickly escalated when officers attempted to disperse the crowd. The activists reportedly retaliated, leading to a confrontation. Following the scuffle, police arrested 15 individuals, who were then transported to a local police station.
The charges against the arrested individuals have not yet been made public. This event is the latest in a series of confrontations, reflecting a challenging environment for public demonstrations in the city.
