Public outcry has taken over social media after protests against the July/August 2026 legislative assembly elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have turned deadly. Arab News reported that the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has claimed that 31 protestors have allegedly died after the police launched a crackdown against them. The banned organization has boycotted the elections, claiming that they have been rigged, and calls for the abolition or reallocation of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in other parts of Pakistan. The regional government has allegedly launched a crackdown on the JAAC under antiterrorism laws, claiming that armed elements have infiltrated the protests.
The heavy clashes in Rawalkot and Poonch district have resulted in the apparent high death toll, where the clash between the police and protestors marching towards Muzaffargarh turned violent. JAAC has alleged that the police opened direct fire on the protestors, sending the internet into shockwaves; the entertainment industry has united in prayer for Kashmir as the conflict grows. In the hope that peace is maintained in the region, they have taken to social media to express themselves; Mahira Khan posted:
Expressing his views, Tabish Hasmi said that he hopes Pakistan comes forward as a unified force and the crisis is dealt with peacefully. He posted:
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Expressing shock over the situation, Samar Jaffri posted:
Sabeena Farooq called it unbelievable and cruel and called for answers. She posted:
Taking to Instagram, HinaKhawaja Bayat opened up about her sentiments towards the mistreatment of the protestors and called the government to listen to their demands. She posted:
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Enraged over the situation, Bilal Qureshi said:
While voices have been raised for atrocities in Indian Administered Kashmir, the silence had been haunting; having a sarcastic take on the injustice in Pakistan, Khaqan Shahnawaz posted:
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Criticizing anti-national claims against the Kashmiri protesters, Bilal Hassan (Mysta Paki) posted:
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Saying that the treatment of Pakistani citizens in Kashmir has left her shocked, Mishi Khan posted:
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Ali Abdullah Durrani said:
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Disheartened by the situation in Kashmir, Madiha Rizvi posted:
Bilal Abbas Khan posted:
