THE Government of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was forced into a humiliating climbdown after repealing a controversial law which banned all unauthorised public protests.
The decision, announced by PoJK President Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, came amidst mounting unrest, including a general strike shutting down educational institutions, shops, and public transport accompanied by large-scale demonstrations.
Spearheaded by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) and the All Parties Coordination Committee (APCC), the unrest highlights long-standing grievances over Islamabad’s control and neglect of the region’s development, with angry citizens demanding political autonomy, economic justice, and an end to repressive laws.
Protests intensified on November 21 when the Pakistani government enacted the controversial Presidential Ordinance 2024, which criminalised unauthorised public gatherings, imposing penalties of up to seven years in prison.
Demonstrators in Kotli faced live ammunition and tear gas from police, resulting in several injuries. This sparked a wave of anger, prompting the APCC to release a 16-point Charter of Demands, calling for the repeal of the ordinance, the release of activists, and the restoration of civil liberties.
President Mehmood Chaudhry announced the revocation of the Presidential Ordinance 2024 on Sunday, instructing PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq to release all individuals detained under the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024”.
While this marked a significant victory for the protesters, they say their broader demands, such as resource control, better infrastructure, and economic reforms, remained unmet.
“These protests have awakened the youth and empowered them to demand their rights,” said JKJAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir.
“The repeal of this ordinance is just the beginning. We will continue our fight until justice is delivered.”
