48 hours, 38 demands: What is happening in PoK? Why is this bad news for Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif? How will this affect Pakistan?

Tensions are rising in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) after the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Pakistan government, warning of a “grand and final” phase of protests if its 38-point charter of demands is not addressed. The warning comes just weeks before regional elections scheduled for July 27, raising fears of another major political confrontation in the region. The protest movement reflects growing anger over political representation, economic issues and governance in the Pakistan-administered territory.

Why has JAAC issued a 48-hour ultimatum?

The immediate trigger is the upcoming regional election process, with nomination filing expected to begin soon. JAAC has announced that it will launch a massive protest march towards Muzaffarabad if its demands are ignored.

The biggest issue is the demand to abolish 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan. JAAC argues that these reserved seats allow Islamabad to exercise disproportionate political influence over the region. The organisation says the current electoral structure does not fairly represent the people living in PoK.

However, the PoK Supreme Court ruled on June 7 that these reserved seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be removed through an executive order. Any change would require a constitutional amendment.

What are the major demands of JAAC?

Apart from electoral reforms, JAAC has placed several economic and governance-related demands before the government.

The organisation wants:

• Abolition of the 12 reserved refugee assembly seats.
• Renegotiation of hydropower projects operating in the region.
• Lower electricity tariffs for local residents.
• Higher subsidies on essential commodities, including flour.
• Greater economic benefits from the region’s natural resources.

JAAC argues that PoK generates a significant amount of electricity through hydropower projects but local residents continue to pay high power tariffs. It also claims that the region’s forests, minerals and water resources mainly benefit mainland Pakistan while local infrastructure and public services remain underdeveloped.

How did JAAC become a major political force?

JAAC was formed in 2023 and quickly emerged as one of the most influential civil rights organisations in PoK.

The group first gained national attention during the large-scale protests of May 2024, when shutdowns, sit-ins and transport blockades brought several areas to a standstill over inflation and rising living costs. It organised another major protest movement in September 2025.

According to reports, a large section of the population depends on agriculture and livestock, while food insecurity and unemployment remain serious concerns. Several studies have highlighted poor healthcare indicators, undernourishment and limited development despite the region’s natural wealth.

What could happen next?

With regional elections approaching, the political situation appears increasingly uncertain. JAAC has warned that if its demands remain unmet after the 48-hour deadline, it will launch what it calls the final phase of its agitation.

The unrest also comes amid a challenging security environment. Reports have highlighted increasing security incidents across Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan over the past two years. Some activists have alleged widespread arrests and crackdowns during previous protests, although these claims have not been independently verified.

India has consistently maintained that the entire erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is an integral part of India. As the election process moves forward, attention will remain focused on whether the Pakistan government responds to JAAC’s demands or whether the region witnesses another major wave of protests in the coming days.