Protests erupt as Pakistan-administered Kashmir lifts restrictions

Islamabad, Pakistan, has experienced significant civil unrest following the government's introduction of the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance 2024. This ordinance, implemented last month, restricted unregistered organizations from holding protests without prior approval and faced backlash for being perceived as a tool for suppressing dissent, particularly given the government's failure to fulfill several promises made to the public. In response to the government's inaction, a coalition of civil society members, including traders, academics, and lawyers, organized a four-day wheel-jam strike that successfully mobilized thousands of residents into the streets. These protests highlighted the people's frustrations with the government's failure to address a 10-point Charter of Demands, which included issues like the formation of student unions and allowing commercial telecommunications providers to operate freely. Following negotiations, the government agreed to withdraw the ordinance that was suspended by the AJK Supreme Court earlier this month. However, the coalition has agreed to postpone their scheduled long march for the time being while entering into a dialogue to ensure that their demands are addressed over the next six months.