The growing political, economic and social crisis unfolding in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in 2026 warrants close analysis. The recent call for a territory-wide strike by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on June 9 has exposed the widening disconnect between the people of the region and Pakistan’s political establishment. The proposed strike, accompanied by warnings of wheel-jam protests and mass demonstrations, reflects mounting anger over inflation, prolonged electricity shortages, unemployment, political marginalisation and allegations of state repression. The commentary argues that the unrest in PoJK is no longer a temporary protest movement triggered by economic grievances alone. Instead, it represents a deeper legitimacy crisis rooted in decades of political manipulation, unfulfilled promises of constitutional reforms and Islamabad’s centralised control over the region. By examining the economic collapse in Pakistan, the growing role of civil resistance in PoJK and the erosion of public trust in the Pakistani establishment, this commentary highlights how the region is entering a volatile and potentially transformative phase. It further argues that the crisis in PoJK has strategic implications not only for Pakistan’s domestic stability but also for the broader Kashmir discourse in South Asia.
Introduction
Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is once again witnessing an intense wave of public unrest. Streets across Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and other parts of the region have become centers of anti-government protests as public anger against Islamabad continues to grow. What initially began as demonstrations against inflation and rising electricity tariffs has evolved into a larger political movement questioning Pakistan’s governance model in PoJK. At the center of this movement is the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has emerged as one of the most influential protest platforms in the region. The committee’s announcement of a territory-wide strike on June 9 has significantly escalated tensions.
JAAC leaders have warned of massive protests, shutter-down strikes and wheel-jam demonstrations if the Pakistani government fails to fulfill its promises regarding constitutional reforms, economic relief and political restructuring. The Pakistani authorities, however, appear increasingly nervous about the scale of the movement. Reports from the region suggest that officials are attempting to pressure protest leaders into withdrawing the strike call amid fears that the agitation could spiral into a broader anti-establishment uprising. The anxiety within the administration is understandable. The current protests are unfolding at a time when Pakistan itself is facing severe economic instability, political polarisation and declining public confidence in state institutions.
The crisis in PoJK therefore cannot be viewed in isolation. It is deeply linked to Pakistan’s broader political and economic troubles. Inflation in Pakistan remains among the highest in South Asia in 2026. The Pakistani rupee continues to struggle against foreign currencies, energy shortages persist across major cities and unemployment has increased sharply among the youth. These economic pressures are felt even more intensely in PoJK, where many residents believe they are politically neglected despite contributing resources and strategic value to Pakistan. This commentary examines the deepening crisis in PoJK by analyzing the factors driving public anger, the political implications of the JAAC-led protests and the larger challenge the movement poses to Pakistan’s governance narrative in the region.
Economic Anger Is Fueling Political Revolt
The current unrest in PoJK is rooted in a severe economic crisis that has directly affected ordinary households. Rising inflation, increasing utility bills, unemployment and declining purchasing power have generated widespread frustration among the public. In 2026, Pakistan’s economy continues to remain under significant strain, with food prices and fuel costs affecting millions across the country. However, in PoJK the economic burden is accompanied by a strong perception of exploitation and discrimination. One of the most controversial issues has been electricity pricing and power shortages. Residents of PoJK frequently argue that despite the region producing electricity through hydropower projects such as the Mangla Dam, local communities continue to suffer from prolonged power cuts and inflated tariffs. Protesters accuse Islamabad of extracting resources from the region while denying locals the benefits of development. This contradiction has become politically explosive.
The people of PoJK increasingly believe that they are being treated as a colony for resource-extraction rather than as equal stakeholders in governance. For many protesters, the issue is no longer simply about utility bills or subsidies. It is about dignity, representation and economic justice. The JAAC has successfully transformed economic grievances into a broader political movement. By linking inflation, electricity shortages and unemployment with questions of governance and political rights, the committee has managed to mobilise support across different sections of society. Traders, transport workers, students and civil society groups have all shown solidarity with the movement.
The scale of participation in previous demonstrations indicates the seriousness of public anger. Markets were shut down during earlier protests, transport services were disrupted and thousands participated in rallies demanding economic relief. The June 9 strike call therefore carries significant political weight because it reflects sustained public dissatisfaction rather than isolated discontent. Pakistan’s economic instability has further intensified the crisis. The country’s dependence on international financial assistance, repeated negotiations with global lending institutions and rising debt obligations have limited the government’s ability to provide meaningful relief to ordinary citizens. In such a situation, regions already feeling politically marginalised are likely to become more volatile. This is precisely what is unfolding in PoJK today.
The Collapse of Political Trust
The unrest in PoJK also reflects a growing crisis of political legitimacy. For decades, Pakistan has projected the so-called ‘Azad Jammu and Kashmir’ (AJK) as a self-governing territory enjoying democratic freedoms and autonomy. However, many residents increasingly reject this narrative, arguing that real political power remains concentrated in Islamabad and within Pakistan’s military establishment. The JAAC and other protest groups have repeatedly demanded constitutional reforms and changes in the political structure of the region. They argue that the existing system allows Pakistan’s central establishment to maintain overwhelming influence over local politics while limiting genuine democratic participation. This criticism has gained traction because political instability in PoJK has become a recurring pattern. Governments in the region are frequently reshuffled, prime ministers are replaced amid political disputes and major decisions often appear to be influenced by actors outside the territory. Such developments have contributed to the perception that elected institutions in PoJK lack real authority.
Public trust has further eroded because previous protest movements were allegedly met with repression rather than dialogue. Human rights activists and civil society organisations have repeatedly raised concerns regarding arrests of demonstrators, restrictions on political activities and the use of force during protests. Protesters argue that peaceful demonstrations are often treated as security threats rather than democratic expressions of public grievances. This has created a dangerous atmosphere of alienation. For many residents, the issue is no longer confined to economic hardship. It has become a question of whether the people of PoJK possess meaningful political agency at all.
The anger visible on the streets today reflects years of accumulated frustration over what many perceive as systematic exclusion from decision-making processes. The Pakistani establishment now faces a major challenge. If it responds to the movement through coercion, it risks deepening anti-government sentiment and further damaging its legitimacy in the region. On the other hand, if it concedes to major demands related to constitutional reforms and political restructuring, it could weaken the long-standing narrative that the region already enjoys substantial autonomy. This dilemma explains why authorities appear anxious about the June 9 strike. The movement has already evolved beyond a conventional protest campaign. It now represents a direct challenge to the credibility of Pakistan’s governance model in PoJK.
A Strategic Crisis for Pakistan
The crisis unfolding in PoJK is not merely a regional disturbance. It has broader strategic and political implications for Pakistan itself. For decades, Pakistan has used the Kashmir issue as a central component of its domestic and foreign policy narrative. Islamabad has consistently claimed that it supports the democratic aspirations and political rights of Kashmiris. However, the ongoing protests in PoJK expose a contradiction within that narrative. When people living under Pakistan’s own administration accuse the state of repression, political manipulation and economic neglect, the credibility of Islamabad’s position inevitably comes under scrutiny. The growing unrest is also unfolding at a particularly sensitive moment for Pakistan. The country is already grappling with political instability, economic uncertainty and public dissatisfaction across several provinces. Opposition parties continue to challenge the government over inflation, unemployment and alleged authoritarianism.
In such an environment, unrest in PoJK risks becoming part of a wider national crisis of governance. The possibility of a broader anti-establishment movement is what likely worries Pakistani authorities the most. The JAAC protests demonstrate how economic suffering can quickly evolve into political resistance when people lose faith in state institutions. This pattern has been visible in many regions globally where economic crises have triggered larger demands for political accountability. Another significant factor is the role of youth participation in the protests. Young people in PoJK face limited employment opportunities, rising living costs and increasing political frustration. Social media platforms have amplified their voices, enabling protest narratives to spread rapidly across the region.
Unlike earlier decades, state-controlled narratives are now challenged instantly through digital platforms, making it harder for authorities to contain dissent. The Pakistani establishment therefore confronts a serious strategic challenge. Suppressing the movement through force may provide temporary control, but it is unlikely to eliminate the underlying causes of public anger. Economic distress, political exclusion and declining trust in institutions cannot be resolved solely through security measures.
The future trajectory of the crisis will largely depend on how Islamabad chooses to respond in the coming weeks. If meaningful dialogue and reforms are initiated, tensions may temporarily ease. However, if the authorities continue relying on pressure tactics and delays, the movement could become even more radicalised. One fact is already undeniable: the political atmosphere in PoJK has fundamentally changed. The region is no longer witnessing isolated protests over specific grievances. It is experiencing a deeper transformation in public consciousness, where economic suffering has merged with demands for dignity, accountability and political rights. That combination makes the current movement particularly powerful and difficult to suppress. The crisis in PoJK is therefore not just about one strike, one committee or one protest movement. It is about the collapse of public trust in a governance structure that many residents increasingly view as disconnected from their aspirations and realities. And when trust collapses, instability follows.
Dr Syed Eesar Mehdi is a Research Fellow at Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi. The views expressed are his own.
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