Charter of Demands Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee

 Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee

A meeting of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee was held on May 21, 2025, in Dhirkot. Taking into account public opinion, the following Charter of Demands was approved, and it will now be considered an official part of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee's agenda

This Charter of Demands was presented to the public on May 24 and 25 during the Muzaffarabad Martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir and Martyrs of Public Rights Conference, in the presence of thousands of people, seeking their support.

For Public Rights – Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committe 

Demand 1: Free Medical Treatment for the People of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Azad Jammu and Kashmir remains an unfortunate region where the ruling classes enjoy full access to free facilities, while the general public is deprived of even basic necessities such as medical treatment. In the upcoming budget, billions of rupees are once again being allocated for the healthcare of government officials, while ordinary citizens are being neglected.

We therefore demand the following immediate actions:

1. Address the shortage of doctors in all district headquarters (DHQ), tehsil headquarters hospitals, rural health centers, and basic health units across Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Establish diagnostic laboratories in every hospital to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis of diseases.

3. Provide free medicines and diagnostic tests for all patients.

4. Ensure fully functional OPD (Outpatient Department) services in all hospitals.

5. Ensure 24-hour OB-GYN services are available in all hospitals.

6. Install MRI and CT scan facilities in all DHQ hospitals.

7. Establish cardiology centers in all DHQ hospitals for the diagnosis and treatment of heart-related conditions.

8. All hospitals must stock essential and life-saving medicines, including vaccines for dog bites, snake bites, strokes, heart attacks, and disabilities.

9. Set up maternal and child health centers at rural health units.

10. Respond immediately to public demands regarding the construction of new health centers in underserved areas.

11. If a patient cannot be treated within Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the government must cover all expenses for their treatment outside the s

tate, just as it does for government officials.

Demand 2: Free and Equal Education

The children of ordinary citizens in Azad Jammu and Kashmir are deprived of both access to education and the opportunity to receive equal quality education. This inequality is leading to the creation of separate social classes within the region.

We therefore demand that the right to free and equal education be recognized and implemented. All children must be provided access to quality education free of cost and without discrimination, ensuring equal opportunities for all.

Demand 3: Employment Opportunities

Thousands of students graduate each year in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, yet they face a severe lack of employment opportunities. It is the responsibility of the state to create job opportunities within the region and to ensure employment for the youth.

If the government fails to provide employment, it must introduce a monthly unemployment allowance for the youth until suitable job opportunities are made available.

Demand 4: Establishment of International Airports

A significant portion of Azad Jammu and Kashmir's population works abroad. It is their basic right to return home safely and conveniently. Nearly half of the population in all three divisions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir depends on overseas employment.

We demand that international airports be established in all three divisions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate safe, accessible, and dignified travel for overseas workers and their fam

Demand 5: Abolition of Assembly Seats Reserved for Immigrants Residing in Pakistan

The Jammu Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee believes that the 12 constituencies established in Pakistan in the name of refugees have played a major role in the exploitation and misappropriation of the resources of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These constituencies have become a serious obstacle to self-governance and rightful ownership within the region.

We demand the following:

Immediate abolition of these refugee constituencies in Pakistan.

Representation in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly must be given only to those refugees from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir who are currently residing in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Refugees living in Azad Kashmir since 1947, including those who migrated after 1988, must be granted property and ownership rights, especially those whose legal cases remain unresolved and who continue to live in poor conditions.

The unconstitutional and illegal transfer of development funds from the budget of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to areas outside the state must be stopped immediately. This practice is not only unjust but also a form of corruption and exploitation of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Demand 6: Fair Employment Opportunities – End Job Quotas for Immigrants Residing in Pakistan

The allocation of a quota in government jobs for refugees living in Pakistan is an injustice to the residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

We demand:

Immediate cancellation of this job quota for refugees residing in Pakistan.

Only residents currently living in Azad Jammu and Kashmir should be eligible for government jobs within the state.

The quota system for jobs and admissions in educational institutions within Azad Jammu and Kashmir should be abolished.

Jobs and educational admissions must be granted strictly on open merit to ensure fairness and transparency.

Refugees residing within Azad Jammu and Kashmir must also receive equal access to employment and education opportunities on the basis of open merit, just like all other citizens.

Demand 7: Clean Drinking Water Supply

Access to clean drinking water remains a major issue across Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The situation has worsened significantly in many areas of Muzaffarabad and the Poonch Division due to the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, leading to a severe water shortage. Similarly, Mirpur and its upper areas, as well as many lowland regions, are also facing a serious water crisis.

We demand that:

The government must take immediate steps to initiate large-scale water supply schemes in all districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Safe and clean drinking water must be provided to every household.

The regional water-related movements and their charters of demand should be acknowledged and fully supported.

Demand 8: Water Supply for Irrigation and Agriculture

Many areas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have fertile land and high agricultural potential, but due to the lack of consistent rainfall, farmers have been forced to abandon cultivation.

To address this, we demand:

Irrigation water from the Neelum, Jhelum, and Poonch Rivers should be lifted and supplied to the agricultural lands across Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The government should construct dams and irrigation canals to collect and distribute water effectively.

Special attention must be given to the regions of Mirpur and Bhimber, and water must be supplied to them as per the Mangla Dam Up-Raising Agreement.

These measures will ensure that Azad Jammu and Kashmir can move towards agricultural self-sufficiency, strengthening the local economy and food security.

demand 9: Construction of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Expressway

An expressway should be constructed from Taobut to Chakothi, similar to the Bhimber Motorway, to facilitate comfortable and efficient travel for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir within their homeland.

This expressway should:

Be connected with entry and exit interchanges at major tourist destinations throughout Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Enhance regional connectivity and infrastructure.

Support the growth of tourism, which will generate employment opportunities and stimulate local economies

Demand 10: End to Corruption, Bribery, and Favoritism in Government Departments

Corruption, bribery, and favoritism have deeply rooted themselves in the administrative system of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, especially in public service departments.

We demand:

The complete elimination of these practices.

All public works should be executed strictly on merit.

Government employees must be held accountable under the law.

Officers involved in corruption, bribery, or favoritism must be immediately dismissed from service.

Legal loopholes that protect such individuals must be revised or removed, ensuring transparency and justice in all governmental operations

Demand 11: Departmental Reforms and Elimination of Redundant Departments

Several departments, such as Agriculture, Livestock, and Small Industries, currently function inefficiently and are considered burdens on the state treasury.

We demand:

A complete restructuring and reform of these departments to make them productive and profitable.

These departments should deploy field officers to train the public in modern agricultural practices, livestock management, and small industry development.

They should support the people in building sustainable and profitable ventures.

All non-functional or redundant departments that consume resources without benefit should be abolished, thereby reducing unnecessary financial pressure on the state.

Demand 12: Provision of Interest-Free Loans to Youth

All banks operating in Azad Jammu and Kashmir should be legally required to provide interest-free loans to the youth of the region. To facilitate this:

The requirement of bank statements should be abolished.

Instead, business registration should be made a mandatory condition to qualify for the loan.

This will empower the youth to start small and medium-sized enterprises, boosting self-employment and economic activity.

Demand 13: End to Exploitation by Cellular Companies

There is widespread concern about overcharging and poor service by cellular companies operating across Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

We demand:

A comprehensive investigation into the exploitation of consumers by these companies.

The provision of high-quality internet and mobile services must be ensured in all areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Regulatory measures should be taken to protect consumer rights and ensure transparency in billing and service quality.

Demand 14: Tax Exemption for Citizens of Azad Kashmir

In recognition of the unique socio-political and economic challenges faced by the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir:

Citizens must be exempted from all types of federal and provincial taxes, including the General Sales Tax (GST).

This exemption will offer relief to the public and support local economic development

Demand 15: Rights and Welfare of Persons with Disabilities

To ensure dignity and equal opportunity for people with disabilities:

A minimum 5% job quota must be reserved for qualified individuals with partial disabilities.

The government must take full responsibility for the care of severely disabled, bedridden individuals.

The state must establish district-level hostels with free food and accommodation facilities for persons with disabilities.

Additional support services and social protections should also be extended to uphold their rights and well-being.

Demand 16: Judicial Reforms and Regulation of Salaries

The salaries and allowances of members of the legislature, judiciary, and administration must be determined in accordance with:

The financial resources of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,

The population ratio, and

The actual burden of responsibilities on each office.

In addition to this, the following urgent judicial reforms are demanded to safeguard the fundamental rights of the people of the region:

Ensure transparency in the procedures for elevation and appointments in the judiciary.

Set strict timelines for case resolution, especially for interim relief applications.

Establish an effective system of judicial accountability to ensure justice and public confidence in the legal system.

Implement the final decision of the High Court from 2019 without delay and enforce Article 52 of the Interim Constitution, which continues to be violated, raising questions about the legitimacy and implementation of the law itself.

These reforms are essential for restoring public trust in the rule of law and the Constitution of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.