Introduction
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has been grappling with significant economic difficulties, including high inflation, elevated utility costs, and frequent power outages for some time. A civil society-based group called the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has spearheaded protests rooted in these economic grievances, demanding greater autonomy over local resources.
Large-scale protests have erupted periodically since March 2023, with Kashmiris taking to the streets to demand subsidized electricity and flour. Led by JAAC, these protests also called for the elimination of unnecessary perks and privileges enjoyed by politicians and bureaucrats. This movement gained significant momentum in May 2024.
On 11 May 2024, thousands of ordinary people responded to JAAC’s call and started marching towards the capital city, Muzaffarabad, demanding accountability for the elite and subsidies for electricity and flour. Despite law enforcement agencies’ heavy-handed response, the protesters remained resolute. The demonstrations were unprecedented because they were leaderless, not driven by a political agenda nor led by a political party. The entire region came to a standstill as violent clashes and casualties were reported, first on social media and subsequently by the mainstream media.
Shortly following the first verified reports of violence, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) decided to conduct a fact-finding mission to AJK to ascertain ground realities, gather evidence related to the ongoing protests and use of force, evaluate the policies governing wheat and electricity provision in AJK, and scrutinize the response of the AJK government and law enforcement agencies, including the Pakistan Rangers.
The mission comprised Husain Naqi (senior journalist and HRCP treasurer), Sadia Bokhari (HRCP Council member), Jalaluddin Mughal (journalist), Raza Tanoli and Afzal Ayoub (both HRCP members). The mission took place on 16–17 May 2024 in the capital Muzaffarabad, where the team held meetings with journalists, civil society and JAAC representatives, and lawyers; the team also met the family of a young boy who was killed as a result of gunfire during the protests. The mission could not speak to representatives of law enforcement agencies or the district administration because, during the two days that the mission was visiting, the prime minister and president of Pakistan were also on a visit to Muzaffarabad.
