EkaSaffronGaruda at 08:23, 5 April 2026

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{{Short description|Protests in Pakistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2025 Azad Kashmir protests
| subtitle =
| partof =
| image =
| caption =
| date = {{Start date|2025|9|29}} – {{End date|2025|10|4}}
| place = [[Azad Jammu and Kashmir]]
| coordinates =
| causes =
| goals =
| methods =
| status =
| result = Agreement reached between the Government of Pakistan and JKJAAC<ref>{{cite web |last=Hussain |first=Ishfaq |title=Violent protests end as peace agreement reached in Pakistan-administered Kashmir |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ABC News |date=4 October 2025 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/violent-protests-end-peace-agreement-reached-pakistan-administered-126214367 |access-date=4 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hussain |first=Ishfaq |title=Violent protests end as peace agreement reached in Pakistan-administered Kashmir |work=The Independent |date=4 October 2025 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/pakistan-shehbaz-sharif-india-himalayan-b2839343.html |access-date=4 October 2025}}</ref>
* Most demands reportedly accepted
| side1 = '''Protesters''': [[Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee]] (JKJAAC)
| side2 = {{tree list}}
* [[File:State emblem of Pakistan.svg|25px]] [[Government of Pakistan]]
** [[File:Coat of arms of Punjab.svg|25px]] [[Government of Punjab, Pakistan|Government of Punjab]]
{{tree list/end}}
[[File:AzadKashmirSeal.png|24px]] [[Government of Azad Kashmir]]
| units1 =
| units2 = [[Islamabad Police]] [[Federal Constabulary]] [[Punjab Rangers]] [[Azad Kashmir Police]]
| side3 =
| leadfigures1 = Shaukat Nawaz Mir Amjad Ali Khan Imtiaz Aslam Hafeez Hamdani
| leadfigures2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the President of Pakistan.svg}} [[Asif Ali Zardari]] {{flagicon image|Flag of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.svg}} [[Shehbaz Sharif]] {{flagicon image|Flag of Azad Kashmir.svg}} [[Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry]] {{flagicon image|Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Flag.png}} [[Chaudhry Anwarul Haq|Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq]]
| leadfigures3 =
| howmany1 = ''Several thousand''
| howmany2 = [[Azad Kashmir Police]] (9,000) [[Federal Constabulary]] (3,000) [[Islamabad Police]] (2,000)
| howmany3 =
| casualties1 = *7 killed<ref name="Protests end">{{Cite news |date=4 October 2025 |title=Violent protests end as peace agreement reached in Pakistan-administered Kashmir |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/violent-protests-end-as-peace-agreement-reached-in-pakistan-administered-kashmir/ar-AA1NQYdN?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=654a5c51875f4a86a66ac46a3af2c5ac&ei=64 |access-date=4 October 2025 |publisher=[[The Canadian Press]]}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{cite web | title=Six protesters, three policemen killed in Azad Kashmir unrest as government calls for dialogue | date=2 October 2025 | url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2617505/pakistan }}</ref>
*50 injured
| casualties2 = *3 killed<ref name="auto3"/>
*172 injured
| casualties3 =
| fatalities =
| injuries =
| arrests =
| damage =
| buildings =
| detentions =
| charged =
| fined =
| effect =
| effect_label =
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| notes =
| sidebox =
}}

From 29 September to 4 October, the [[Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee]] (JKJAAC) launched a region-wide shutter-down and wheel-jam strike across [[Azad Jammu and Kashmir]] (AJK), demanding structural reforms, economic concessions, and an end to elite privileges.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web | title=Deadlock persists between Azad Kashmir government, protesters on demands as unrest kills one | date=29 September 2025 | url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2617198/pakistan }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web | title=AJK paralysed by competing protests, communications blackout | date=30 September 2025 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1945570 }}</ref>

The protest quickly escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces, resulting in 10 deaths and over 100 injuries.<ref name="Protests end" /><ref name="auto">{{cite web | title=Protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir leave 4 people dead and over 100 injured | website=[[Associated Press News]] | date=October 2025 | url=https://apnews.com/article/b104fb6da251f1fcf1e7f2b64cd416ed }}</ref><ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite web | title=AJK reels as 9 killed in protest violence | date=2 October 2025 | url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2570140/ajk-reels-as-9-killed-in-protest-violence }}</ref><ref name="auto8">{{cite web | title=Nine killed as Awami Action Committee protest turns violent in Azad Kashmir | date=30 September 2025 | url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2570048/three-police-personnel-killed-during-awami-action-committee-protest-in-ajk }}</ref> The government claimed to have accepted most of the demands, while protest leaders rejected such claims and called for continued protests until full implementation.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto2"/>

==Background ==
The region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), which is administered by Pakistan and often referred to as Azad Kashmir, has a history of periodic disputes over subsidies, governance, regional autonomy, and privileges granted to political elites. In [[2024 Azad Kashmir protests|May 2024, protests]] demanding subsidies for wheat and electricity escalated, resulting in the deaths of at least three protesters and a police officer. The government responded with promises of subsidies and reforms.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto5">{{cite web | title=Azad Kashmir leaders urge protesters to return to dialogue as unrest grows | date=October 2025 | url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2617464/pakistan }}</ref>

In 2025, the Jammu Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee (JKJAAC or sometimes AAC), a civil society coalition comprising traders, transporters, students, lawyers and other groups, re-emerged as a major driving force for protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.<ref name="auto5"/> In late September 2025, the JKJAAC announced a regional-level strike, sometimes referred to as a "lockdown", starting on 29 September, aimed at pressing a 38-point Charter of Demands.<ref name="auto7">{{cite web | title=Pakistan PM urges Azad Kashmir protesters to withdraw 'lockdown' call — party official | date=28 September 2025 | url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2617085/pakistan }}</ref><ref name="auto5"/><ref name="auto4">{{cite web | title=Nine killed in AJK protests as govt proposes talks with action committee | date=October 2025 | url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/626506-three-dead-in-ajk-protests-as-govt-proposes-talks-with-action-committee }}</ref>

==Demands ==
The demands included:

* Abolition of special allowances and privileges for government officials.<ref name="auto5"/>
* Abolition of 12 seats in the [[Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly]] reserved for Kashmiri migrants from [[Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name="auto5"/>
* Royalty from hydroelectric or energy projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.<ref name="auto5"/>
* Lower electricity tariffs and subsidized wheat/food assistance.<ref name="auto6">{{cite web | title=Protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir leave 4 people dead and over 100 injured | website=[[Associated Press News]] | date=October 2025 | url=https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-violent-protest-kashmir-over-subsidies-b104fb6da251f1fcf1e7f2b64cd416ed }}</ref>
* End of elite privileges and elimination of certain reserved seats in the government structure.<ref name="auto6"/>

==Timeline ==
===Pre-strike phase===
* On 27 September, Prime Minister [[Shahbaz Sharif]] publicly urged the JKJAAC to withdraw its call for an indefinite lockdown and return to talks.<ref name="auto7"/>
* The JKJAAC maintained its plan, saying the strike would begin on 29 September.<ref name="auto5"/>
* As preparations were underway, authorities imposed a communications blackout (internet and mobile services suspended) in parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir from 29 September to prevent coordination of protests.<ref name="auto1"/>

=== Strike begins===
*On 29 September 2025, shutdown/wheel-jam strikes began in several cities of Azad Kashmir, including [[Muzaffarabad]], [[Rawalakot]], [[Kotli]], [[Mirpur, Azad Kashmir|Mirpur]], [[Bhimber]], etc.<ref>{{cite web | title=Govt gears up as AJK braces for tomorrow's lockdown | date=28 September 2025 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1945117 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Azad Kashmir govt, civil society alliance hold talks as Sept 29 lockdown looms | date=25 September 2025 | url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1944367 }}</ref>

*Security was tightened as major roads and entry/exit routes were sealed, and law enforcement agencies were deployed in view of the unrest.<ref>{{cite web | title=Pakistan PM urges Azad Kashmir protesters to withdraw 'lockdown' call — party official | url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2617085/amp }}</ref>

*Rival rallies broke out in Muzaffarabad, a "peace rally" led by the Muslim Conference (a political group) clashed with JKJAAC protesters around [[Neelum Bridge]].<ref name="auto1"/>

*In the clash, police allegedly fired tear gas and, according to some eyewitnesses, fired live bullets. Several were injured and at least one protester (named Muhammad Sudhir) died of gunshot wounds.<ref name="auto1"/>

*The protests spread, and more clashes broke out in other parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the following days.<ref name="auto4"/>

=== Escalation and clashes===

* On 1-2 October 2025, several deaths were reported in clashes between JKJAAC protesters and police in Muzaffarabad on 1 October. Four people were reportedly killed and over 100 were injured in the clashes. According to a police statement, three policemen and one civilian were among the dead.<ref name="auto6"/>

* Protest leaders rejected the government’s claims, saying that 12 of their supporters were killed and over 200 were injured.<ref name="auto5"/>

* Across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, at least nine people have been reported dead (including police and civilians) as a result of violent protests.<ref name="auto4"/>

* The government also announced that 172 police personnel had been injured in the protests, 12 of whom were in critical condition.<ref name="auto8"/>

* The government appealed to citizens to refrain from violence and misinformation. It warned that legal action would be taken against those involved in violent acts.<ref name="auto8"/>

==Casualties and injuries==

Reports vary, but the protests resulted in casualties and property damage on both sides:

===Killings===
Three police officers and one civilian were killed in the Muzaffarabad clash.<ref name="auto"/> Protest leaders said that 12 JKJAAC supporters were killed.<ref name="auto5"/>

Some media reports cite a total of 10 deaths in AJK (civilian + officials).<ref name="Protests end"/>

Some senior local government officials put the death toll at 15.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Abid |title=Why has Pakistan-administered Kashmir erupted in protest again? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/3/why-has-pakistan-administered-kashmir-erupted-in-protest-again |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

===Injuries===
Over 100 people (police and civilians) were injured in the clashes in Muzaffarabad and across the region.<ref name="auto6"/> According to a statement from the AJK government, 172 policemen were injured, 12 of whom are in critical condition. Additional civilian injuries (reportedly ~50) have also been cited.<ref name="auto8"/>

==Response and government reaction==
* The [[Government of Azad Kashmir]] and federal officials said that 90 percent of the JKJAAC’s demands have already been accepted. They described the ongoing unrest as politically motivated.<ref name="auto6"/>

* The [[Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir]] [[Chaudhry Anwarul Haq]] appealed to the JKJAAC to return to talks, warning that the violence would cost lives.<ref name="auto5"/>

* Security measures (internet/mobile shutdowns, deployment of security forces) remained in place during the protests to limit mobilization and communication.<ref name="auto1"/>

==Aftermath and continued developments==

On 4 October, a peace agreement was reached, bringing an end to the protests.<ref name="Protests end" />

The unrest sparked renewed discussions on structural reforms in the governance of Azad Kashmir, reserved seats, and the distribution of state resources.<ref name="auto5"/>

The continued communication restrictions and the presence of law enforcement agencies have drawn criticism from civil society for restricting freedom of assembly and expression.<ref name="auto1"/>

==See also==
* [[Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee]]
* [[2024 Azad Kashmir protests]]
*[[2025 Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan protests]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Azad Kashmir protests, 2025}}
[[Category:2025 protests]]
[[Category:21st century in Azad Kashmir|Protests]]
[[Category:September 2025 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:October 2025 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Politics of Azad Kashmir]]
[[Category:Protests in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in Pakistan]]

2025 Azad Kashmir protests - Revision history

EkaSaffronGaruda at 08:23, 5 April 2026