Abdullah Mustafvi
On August 29, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) issued a 38-point “Charter of Demands,” outlining an ambitious array of demands aimed at tackling the region’s pressing economic, political and social challenges. The group’s origins date back to 2022 when it emerged as a response to widespread dissatisfaction over inflation, unemployment and perceived governance failures in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The grassroots movement, which initially centred around economic grievances like soaring wheat and flour prices, quickly garnered significant attention for its call to address AJK’s economic woes.
Led by Shaukat Nawaz Mir, the JAAC claims to operate without a leader, instead favouring collective decision-making. This structure is reflected in their diverse membership, which spans all ten districts of the region and includes public sector workers such as police officers, suggesting the movement’s growing influence among key sectors of society. Despite its populist appeal, the JAAC’s “Charter of Demands” presents a sprawling set of demands, many of which may seem aspirational but lack realistic implementation strategies. Among the major points in the charter are calls for “free medical and education facilities,” the construction of massive infrastructure projects like tunnels and an international airport and sweeping reforms aimed at eliminating corruption and improving governance.
These demands strike a chord with the everyday struggles of AJK residents, but experts have raised concerns about the feasibility and financial sustainability of such sweeping proposals. A closer look at the charter’s economic demands reveals the difficulty of achieving its goals. The call for free medical and educational services, while attractive, would require an enormous fiscal outlay. JAAC provides no roadmap for funding these projects, leaving many to wonder how such ambitious reforms could be implemented within the constrained resources of the AJK government.
Similarly, demands for drastic cuts to government perks and the abolition of nepotism are undeniably important but are devoid of a clear action plan, making them sound like hollow slogans rather than viable solutions. One of the most contentious aspects of the demands is the call for extensive infrastructure development, including an international airport, expressways and several major tunnels. While these projects would undoubtedly boost AJK’s connectivity and economy, the cost implications are staggering.
Without any mention of how these ventures would or could be financed, the proposals risk becoming little more than empty promises. Additionally, the group’s stance on political representation is highly divisive. JAAC calls for the abolition of refugee seats in the regional assembly and a referendum on the issue. Such moves could potentially alienate a large segment of the population, further complicating AJK’s already delicate political landscape. The region’s political structure, governed by the AJK Interim Constitution Act, relies heavily on these seats for representation, and their removal without a clear constitutional solution could exacerbate tensions and disrupt the status quo.
JAAC’s rhetoric about combating corruption and nepotism is also met with scepticism. While such reforms are necessary, the group has provided no specific framework for implementation. The absence of concrete measures to address these deep-seated issues calls into question the effectiveness of the movement’s overall platform.
While many of the demands, including better employment opportunities, disability quotas and reform of the judiciary, resonate with the public, the lack of detailed financial planning or actionable strategies makes them difficult to take seriously as a comprehensive solution. For example, the blanket regularisation of all contract and daily-wage workers, regardless of qualifications, could inflate the public wage bill and severely limit fiscal flexibility. In terms of governance, the charter calls for sweeping reforms but provides no practical steps to implement them.
A focus on judicial and administrative reforms, without clear mechanisms for enforcement, could turn out to be another exercise in populism rather than a legitimate call for change. Furthermore, the demand for a complete overhaul of the power sector, including the provision of cheap electricity at the cost of generation from Mangla, may be administratively unfeasible and would likely place an enormous burden on the AJK exchequer. While the JAAC’s charter certainly speaks to the frustrations of the people of AJK, its lack of a clear, actionable roadmap and the absence of financial planning suggest that the movement may be more focused on securing public support than on providing concrete solutions.
For the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the real question is whether JAAC’s grand promises will translate into tangible benefits or if they are destined to remain another empty political gesture and populist stunt. To shift from populism to sustainability, JAAC should focus on engaging with mainstream politics and working within the political system of AJK to secure long-term reforms. Rather than advocating for large, unfeasible projects, JAAC can prioritise achievable goals like economic reforms, promoting local entrepreneurship and vocational training. Additionally, the movement should consider creating tiered welfare systems to implement practical initiatives and fostering political dialogue to address sensitive issues like refugee representation. By adopting a more pragmatic, financially viable approach, JAAC can ensure its demands are not just appealing but also actionable, leading to tangible benefits for the people of AJK.
The writer is a freelance contributor based in Islamabad.
