Pakistan-administered Kashmir elections and protests – all you need to know

Core Impact Points

• Protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have turned deadly, with over 50 reported deaths, including civilians and security personnel.
• The protests are led by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a banned group pushing for changes to electoral laws and more economic concessions for the region.
• The JAAC is demanding the abolition of 12 reserved assembly seats for Kashmiri refugees living in other parts of Pakistan, which they claim allows Islamabad to manipulate local politics.
• The protests have led to a partial internet blackout, disinformation, and restricted access to healthcare, with markets, schools, and public transport repeatedly shut down during regionwide strikes.
• The crisis is part of a deeper debate about governance, political representation, resource allocation, and regional autonomy in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
• The US has a vested interest in the Kashmir conflict, as it affects regional stability and security, and has implications for the global economy and trade.