Protests against Presidential Ordinance intensify in AJK as talks fail

Talks between Joint Public Action Committee (JAAC) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Ministerial Negotiation Committee against the Presidential Ordinance have failed resultantly JAAC has started a long march against the ordinance and arrest of its supporters, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Protesters are moving towards the entry point Barrakot in Muzaffarabad after talks between the JAAC and AJK Ministerial Negotiation Committee failed. In Poonch division, protesters blocked Kohala entry point and Dhalkot entry point in Palindri. 

Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a member of JAAC said deadlock continue but negotiation team of the Committee of Ministers did not return after seeking half an hour break. 

On the call of the JAAC, a wheel-jam and shutter-down strike continued on third consecutive day on Saturday after talks failed. During the strike, all businesses, including grocery shops, hotels and even medical stores remained shut, while no public transport operated.

The JAAC, a coalition of civil society organisations, is protesting against the 'Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance, 2024', which was suspended by the AJK Supreme Court this week. The JAAC claims the ordinance as a move to suppress the group and infringed upon the people's constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression. It demanded withdrawal of the ordinance.