Archive · 9 Aug 2026
JAAC Denies Indian Support in PoK Protests, Challenges Evidence
People in a place called Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are very upset and are holding big protests.
They say electricity prices are too high and they want their leaders to listen to them.
The group leading the protests is called JAAC.
Pakistan's government says that another country, India, is secretly helping the protest group.
The protest group says that is not true and asks Pakistan to show proof.
Many people have been hurt or sadly died during the protests.
A big organization called the United Nations says someone should investigate what happened to the protesters.
The UN wants to make sure people who protest peacefully are treated fairly.
Pakistan says its police and soldiers followed the rules.
The protest group says it only wants peaceful protests and is not an armed group.
The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) rejected Pakistan's allegations that it is sponsored, financed, or controlled by India and challenged Islamabad to show proof.
PoK is witnessing the most extensive confrontation between local population and Pakistani state in decades, with deadly violence, internet suspension, and allegations of police brutality.
At least 88 people have been killed in the unrest until August 3, according to documentation shared by Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Observatory with Awami Action Committee.
Pakistan outlawed JAAC under anti-terrorism laws in June, while authorities said security forces' actions against protesters were in accordance with the law.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres backed his human rights chief's call for an impartial inquiry into the killings of protesters in PoK.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all deaths during the unrest.
- Who
- The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), Pakistani authorities, the United Nations and its human rights chief Volker Turk, and protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
- What
- Protests and deadly unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with JAAC denying Pakistani allegations of Indian support and the UN calling for an impartial inquiry into protester deaths.
- When
- The protests began earlier this year; tensions continued until at least August 3; UN statements were reported on a Friday.
- Where
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK/PoJK).
- Why
- Protests initially began over rising electricity prices and essential commodities, then grew into a movement demanding political reforms, accountability, and representative government.
Protesters and JAAC perspective
Pakistani authorities perspective
Indian involvement
Protesters and JAAC perspective
JAAC is an indigenous civil-rights movement rooted in local concerns and categorically rejects being sponsored, financed, or controlled by India.
Pakistani authorities perspective
Pakistan repeatedly claims JAAC is backed by India and outlawed the group under anti-terrorism laws.
Nature of the movement
Protesters and JAAC perspective
JAAC describes itself as a peaceful civil-rights movement and rejects Pakistan's description of it as an armed organisation.
Pakistani authorities perspective
Pakistani authorities treat the group under anti-terrorism laws and say security forces' actions against protesters were in accordance with the law.
Casualty reporting and accountability
Protesters and JAAC perspective
There is no reliable final injury count due to restricted access to hospitals, families, and official records; independent accountability is needed.
Pakistani authorities perspective
Authorities maintain their actions were lawful, while the UN urges accountability if peaceful protesters were harmed.
- Protesting group
- Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)
- Reported deaths
- At least 88 killed until August 3
- Death toll source
- Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Observatory with Awami Action Committee
- JAAC status
- Outlawed by Pakistani authorities under anti-terrorism laws in June
- Key allegation
- Pakistan claims JAAC is backed by India; JAAC categorically rejects this
- UN position
- Supports calls for impartial inquiry into protester killings
- UN human rights chief
- Volker Turk
- UN Secretary-General
- Antonio Guterres