AJK reinstates 177 FIRs against JAAC members

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has formally withdrawn a series of notifications concerning legal

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has reinstated 177 First Information Reports (FIRs) against members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), reversing earlier relief granted under a political agreement signed in October 2025.

Officials said the decision was taken after determining that the JAAC had violated the terms of the agreement by resuming protest activities instead of following the dispute resolution mechanism agreed between both sides. The move also revokes earlier notifications that had withdrawn protest-related cases.

The government has directed police, judiciary, and administrative authorities to fully implement the decision and proceed with legal action in the reinstated cases.

The FIRs relate to protests held in September and October 2025, when the JAAC launched a movement demanding governance reforms, constitutional changes, and the removal of certain administrative privileges. The protests later turned violent, resulting in casualties among both protesters and law enforcement personnel.

Following the unrest, both sides had reached an agreement in October 2025, leading to the withdrawal of several cases and the formation of a committee to address contentious issues. However, authorities now argue that the agreement was breached when fresh agitation was launched, prompting the restoration of previously withdrawn FIRs.

The latest development comes amid ongoing political tensions in the region, where questions over governance reforms, representation, and protest rights continue to fuel instability.

Officials maintain that legal proceedings will now resume as per law, while earlier concessions granted under the agreement have effectively been rolled back.

The withdrawn notifications were linked to multiple criminal cases that were previously registered in different courts across AJK against individuals associated with the JAAC. The cases had stemmed from protest-related incidents and public demonstrations held in various areas of the region.

Government officials said the move reflects a cabinet-level policy decision aimed at resolving legal complications arising from earlier protest movements. They added that the notification has been dispatched to all concerned departments, including law enforcement agencies, district administrations, and judicial authorities for immediate implementation.

The development comes at a time of continued political sensitivity in the region, where tensions and dialogue over public demands and governance issues have been ongoing. The government had earlier taken restrictive measures against JAAC activities, while parallel negotiations were also reported on various administrative and public concerns.

Separately, the AJK government has launched formal legal proceedings against leaders of the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) over allegations of sedition and anti-state activities.

According to the Home Department, police officials have been assigned to investigate key figures of the group. The Muzaffarabad SSP is leading inquiries against one leader, while the Mirpur SSP is handling another case.

Authorities said the investigations cover alleged speeches, writings, publications, and electronic communications linked to anti-state activity.

The Home Department has directed police to complete investigations under relevant legal provisions and submit challans before the courts.