MUZAFFARABAD: Acti­vists of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), who have been camped on the outskirts of Rawalakot for more than 10 days, are expected to announce their next course of action on Tuesday (today), according to one of the alliance’s leaders.

There was widespread speculation that the protesters had decided to launch a long march towards Muzaffarabad on Tuesday.

However, late on Sunday night, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, one of the four JAAC leaders whose arrest carries a cash reward, called on supporters to gather in large numbers at Eidgah Ground on Tuesday, where he said the future strategy would be unveiled.

Observers noted that the alliance appeared to have few practical options left: marching into Rawalakot’s urban area, launching a march towards Muzaffar­abad, or continuing its blockade of roads. When contacted, Poonch Divisional Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan ruled out the possibility of protesters entering Rawalakot, where a curfew remained in force.

AJK administration rules out entry into curfew-hit Rawalakot

‘Use of force’

“If they try to advance towards the city, law enforcement personnel will initially use whistles to warn them back. If they still do not stop, tear gas and aerial firing will be employed to push them back,” he said, making it clear that firing would be used only as a last resort to enforce the curfew.

“If someone enters a curfew-hit area, it means they are knowingly violating the law and potentially attempting to confront law enforcement personnel.

“In such circumstances, the law enforcers will act in accordance with their standard operating procedures to keep them at bay,” he added.

Khan said a march towards Muzaffarabad would also be difficult because of the arduous terrain along the two available routes — via Tolipir-Lasdanna-Bagh and via Azad Pattan-Tain Dhalkot-Kohala.

In that event, he said, a different strategy would be adopted to deal with the protesters.

Referring to reports that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had sent a delegation to negotiate with the protesters, Khan said no individual or political party had been authorised by the government to hold talks with JAAC or offer any assurances on its behalf.

“JAAC leaders have handed over a list of 13 demands to a team that met them allegedly on behalf of the JUI-F chief. Those demands are neither practicable nor acceptable,” he said.

Khan also denied reports that several opposition figures from across the country were expected to attend the JAAC gathering on Monday.

“Any self-styled interlocutor or mediator must ensure that they have a mandate from both sides before engaging in dialogue,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026