The Joint Action Committee Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee has organized the widespread wheel jam and shutter-down strike in Azad Kashmir, with all businesses, public transport, and markets closed since this mornings strike in response to ongoing grievances.

In Muzaffarabad, bakeries and restaurants are also closed, and attendance at public educational institutions is markedly low. Private schools have followed suit, contributing to the disruption.

The strike has extended to Jhelum Valley district, where markets in Hattian Bala, Chinari, and Chakothi remain shuttered. The Action Committee has announced that the strike will continue indefinitely until the presidential ordinance is revoked.

While some groups of traders and transporters have distanced themselves from the strike, citing government pressure, tensions are rising as clashes between different factions are anticipated over the reopening of shops and public transport services.

The government has made extensive preparations to counter the strike, instructing all public employees to report for duty and ensuring that both public and private educational institutions remain operational. Hospital staff have also been directed to maintain their presence.

Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee representative Shaukat Nawaz Mir, has called on citizens, traders, and transporters to support the strike, emphasizing its aim to restore subsidies on flour and electricity and to uphold citizens’ rights to protest.

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In response to the Supreme Court’s suspension of the presidential ordinance, the government has labeled the Action Committee’s strike call as unwarranted. Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq reiterated that there are no plans to eliminate subsidies on flour and electricity bills. Furthermore, the cabinet has approved the formation of a broad-based committee to address concerns regarding the Peaceful Assembly Public Order Ordinance.

Also, six months ago, shutter-down and wheel-jam strikes continued for the second day in all 10 districts, leading to a shortage of food in the region and severe hardships for tourists.