A widespread strike has brought normal life to a halt in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) today. This strike, called for by the Awami Action Committee, is in protest against high electricity prices and privileges enjoyed by the elite.
For the past six weeks, various areas in AJK have witnessed persistent protests. These demonstrations were dispersed by the police between Friday night and Saturday.
The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Muzaffarabad has suspended classes for the day, including the MPhil and PhD entry tests. Similarly, the Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) has postponed exams scheduled for October 17.
The University of Poonch, Kahuta Havelie Campus, has also rescheduled its exams.
The strike aims to highlight the people’s demand for fair access to resources and to protest against exorbitant electricity bills.
Throughout AJK, public transportation from the capital to all cities has come to a halt, and markets of all sizes are shut across cities and towns.
Complete closures are being observed in areas like Garhi Dupatta, Chikar, Hattian Bala, Pathaka, and Nausiri Bazaar.
In all three districts of Poonch division, markets are entirely closed, and the strike is also underway in the three tehsils of Jhelum district valley.
Breakfast centers, bakeries, milk shops, and vegetable and meat vendors have all remained closed since early morning.
Due to the strike, all examinations in Azad Kashmir have been postponed. While several private schools have declared a holiday, doctors and staff at government hospitals have been instructed to report for duty.
