The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) launched its Long March from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on 27 July, after negotiations with Pakistani authorities reportedly broke down without a mutually acceptable resolution. The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) has urged Islamabad to exercise maximum restraint and avoid deploying force against demonstrators, citing reports of more than 40 deaths in the region since 5 June.

How the March Unfolded

The JAAC had announced on Saturday that the Long March would begin from Mirpur Division on 26 July, with caravans converging at the Rawalakot sit-in before proceeding toward Muzaffarabad on 27 July. The march marks a significant escalation of the ongoing civil unrest in PoK, which has simmered since early June over unresolved grievances with Pakistani authorities.

Security Forces Deployed Ahead of the March

According to the UKPNP, reports indicated the deployment of additional Pakistani security forces ahead of the planned march, including the Rangers, Frontier Constabulary (FC), and Punjab Constabulary (PC). The visible security build-up raised alarm among civil society groups and diaspora organisations monitoring the situation closely.

What the UKPNP Said

In a post on social media platform X, the UKPNP stated: 'We call upon the authorities to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from the use of force against peaceful protesters. Protecting human life and safeguarding fundamental freedoms remain the primary responsibility of every state.'

The organisation also demanded accountability for reported casualties: 'Every reported death or injury should be subject to prompt, thorough, independent, and impartial investigation, with accountability in accordance with the law,' it said. The UKPNP stressed that peaceful protest, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression are fundamental rights protected under international human rights law.

International Community Urged to Act

The UKPNP appealed to the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia to actively support civilian protection, encourage meaningful dialogue, and promote a peaceful resolution in PoK. It also called on international media and independent human rights organisations to independently monitor, report, and document any alleged violations by Pakistani authorities in the region.

Context and What Comes Next

This is not the first time JAAC-led mobilisations have confronted a security crackdown in PoK — the committee has previously organised large-scale protests over issues including subsidies, governance, and political rights. The failure of talks this time, combined with the reported death toll of over 40 since 5 June, suggests the standoff has entered a more volatile phase. International attention and media scrutiny will be critical in the days ahead as the march proceeds toward Muzaffarabad.