In PoJK, the JAAC has accused Pakistani authorities of denying people their basic rights.

A senior leader of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKAMMC), one of the main groups leading protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), has appealed to people across Jammu and Kashmir to support demonstrations planned on July 5 against Pakistan’s crackdown on civilians. The appeal comes as protests continue in PoJK over human rights violations, restrictions on movement and shortages of essential supplies on Islamabad’s order.A video message by Sardar Aman Khan, a core member of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), has gone viral on social media. In the video, he calls upon people in Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh, Poonch and Rajouri to stand in solidarity with residents of PoJK and participate in the July 5 protests, which have been planned across the region.“Through this message, I am addressing the people of the Kashmir Valley, specifically the people of Srinagar. To the people of Baramulla, and all the surrounding districts. To the people of Poonch, and the people of Mendhar. We are addressing the people of Rajouri, Jammu, Ladakh, Kargil, Gilgit Baltistan, and the people across the entire state. As you are all aware, it has been nearly a month now that Kashmir (PoJK) has been under such influence and oppression. For demanding their basic rights, the cruelty, injustice, massacre, and military aggression committed against the people here have reached their peak. In this extremely difficult phase, our food supply routes are closed, our medicine routes are closed. Even on the act of breathing, the rulers and forces here are in such a rage, questioning why the people here are even breathing. In this time of hardship, we appeal to all the people, to those across the border, and especially to the people of Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Jammu, the Valley, Ladakh, and Kargil. We have organized a protest on July 5th, and we need the support of all of you. Certainly, you must come out, speak up for our rights, and raise your voice against this cruelty and injustice,” Sardar Aman Khan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.The latest appeal follows weeks of unrest in PoJK, where the JAAC has accused Pakistani authorities of suppressing peaceful protests and denying people their basic rights. The committee has alleged that restrictions on movement, arrests of activists and disruption of essential supplies have worsened the humanitarian situation.On June 30, the JAAC criticised Pakistani authorities after an opposition delegation was reportedly prevented from entering PoJK. It alleged that the move reflected Islamabad’s continued suppression of political dissent and democratic rights.The committee also claimed that access to the region had been restricted and food supplies obstructed, while maintaining that its movement remained peaceful and focused on securing fundamental rights. It said protests would continue until its demands were addressed.Support for the movement has also emerged outside PoJK. On July 2, the National Anti-Terrorism Front India held a protest outside the United Nations office, urging the international community to intervene over the reported humanitarian situation and alleged rights violations in the region.Pakistan has also come under criticism from international rights groups. Amnesty International condemned the authorities’ actions ahead of the regional elections in PoJK and criticised the decision to declare the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee a “proscribed organisation.” It described the move as an attack on freedom of association and peaceful political activism.PoJK activist Amjad Ayub Mirza has also alleged that the situation in the region continues to deteriorate following the arrest of JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir.“The situation in Pakistani-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is getting worse by the hour. After the arrest of the leader of Joint Awami Action Committee Shaukat Nawaz Mir, so far more than 600 workers and activists of the committee have been arrested… On 5th of July, that was usually celebrated or observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day, in the name of the people of Kashmir Valley, is now being observed against Pakistan. Not only in PoJK, but also there are thousands of people who are going to turn up in London and on the 5th of July and protest against brutalities committed by Pakistan in Pakistani-occupied J&K,” he said.Activists have alleged that Pakistan has imposed an economic blockade on the region by restricting the movement of food supplies and travellers. They have also accused Pakistani forces of using drones to monitor sit-in protests. Several PoJK groups have called for a boycott of the local elections scheduled for July 27, saying the prevailing conditions do not allow for a free and fair democratic process.