JKHRO Calls for Urgent and Independent Human Rights Intervention in Pakistan-Administered Jammu and Kashmir
Human Rights Observatory urges investigation into Fourth Schedule listings, arbitrary detention, civilian casualties, school and business closures, identity restrictions, and measures affecting families and children
LONDON, 29 August 2026 — The Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Observatory (JKHRO) has formally requested the Human Rights Wing of the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to undertake an urgent, independent and comprehensive intervention into an expanding pattern of administrative, security and counter-terrorism measures affecting citizens across Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
In a detailed letter submitted on 27 August 2026 to Ms Alia Bashir, Additional Secretary (Human Rights), JKHRO raised serious concerns regarding mass Fourth Schedule listings, arbitrary detention, unacknowledged or undisclosed custody, civilian deaths and injuries, the closure of schools and businesses, and restrictions affecting identity documents, banking, passports, travel and communications.
The submission also raises concerns about measures imposed on the relatives and minor children of listed individuals, barriers to legal representation, and alleged reprisals against journalists, lawyers, educators, human rights defenders and witnesses.
JKHRO recognises the lawful responsibility of the authorities to protect life, maintain public order and investigate credible allegations of criminal conduct. However, these responsibilities must be exercised in accordance with clear law, individualised evidence, due process, judicial supervision, necessity and proportionality.
A JKHRO spokesperson said:
“An allegation against one individual cannot justify the punishment of an entire family, educational institution, business, professional community or public movement. Security measures that affect identity, education, livelihoods, family life and access to justice must be based on individual evidence and accompanied by meaningful legal safeguards.”
Mass Fourth Schedule listings
JKHRO’s letter refers to official AJK Home Department notifications issued during June, July and August 2026 that placed a large number of citizens on the Fourth Schedule under Section 16(1) of the AJK Anti-Terrorism Act 2014.
According to JKHRO’s review, the schedules principally record names, parentage, identity numbers, districts and alleged association with the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC). The documents reviewed do not visibly provide person-specific allegations, particular acts, dates, evidence, reasons or individual assessments of the security risk allegedly posed by each person.
JKHRO has requested an examination of the evidentiary threshold applied to each listing, whether affected individuals received notice and access to the evidence against them, and whether peaceful protest, political opinion, journalism or organisational association was treated as evidence of terrorism or security risk.
Detention and undisclosed custody
The submission raises concerns regarding arrests connected with peaceful marches, sit-ins, public advocacy and organisational association.
JKHRO has specifically requested urgent verification of the detention and whereabouts of JKJAAC core committee member Shoukat Nawaz Mir, who was reportedly arrested near Dhirkot on 30 June 2026. JKHRO has received information alleging that he has not been produced before a court, provided confidential access to legal counsel, allowed regular family contact or given access to an independent medical examination.
The letter also highlights the case of Muhammad Shafique, who is reportedly detained in Bhimber Jail. His school was allegedly sealed, his national identity card cancelled and banking restrictions imposed, limiting his ability to access personal resources and obtain legal representation.
JKHRO has asked the Human Rights Wing to establish the location and legal status of every detainee, disclose relevant FIRs and detention orders, verify judicial production, ensure access to lawyers, families and medical care, and recommend the immediate release of anyone for whom no lawful and individually substantiated basis for detention can be demonstrated.
Civilian deaths and injuries
JKHRO has documented reports of 89 civilian deaths and hundreds of injuries during protests and security operations. While casualty figures and the circumstances of individual incidents may remain contested, JKHRO maintains that this makes an independent investigation more necessary.
The organisation has called for the immediate preservation of operational orders, command and deployment records, ammunition records, post-mortem reports, hospital records, police communications, CCTV footage, mobile recordings and witness testimony.
Any investigation must determine whether the use of force was lawful, necessary and proportionate, and whether injured persons were given prompt access to medical assistance.
Schools, businesses and livelihoods
JKHRO has expressed particular concern about the withdrawal of registration from 13 private schools in Poonch and Sudhnoti, as well as reported action against additional educational institutions in other AJK districts.
The closure of Chinar Public Model School in Tehsil Barnala, District Bhimber, reportedly affected 58 students and six teachers, including five women. Eighteen of the affected students were reportedly enrolled in Classes 9 and 10, placing their examination preparation and academic progression at immediate risk.
The JKHRO spokesperson said:
“Children must not lose access to education because of an allegation against a school owner, principal, teacher, parent or another adult. The best interests of affected children must be treated as a primary consideration.”
JKHRO has requested the reopening of affected schools and businesses pending independent review unless the authorities can establish a separate, specific and lawful basis for each closure. It has also called for continuity of education and examinations, protection of teachers and workers, access to lawful income and compensation where closures lacked a lawful basis.
Identity and financial restrictions
The letter raises serious concerns regarding reports that national identity cards have been cancelled, blocked, impounded, rendered inactive or placed under verification following Fourth Schedule action.
JKHRO is particularly concerned about NADRA notices reportedly issued to spouses, parents, siblings and minor children of listed individuals, even where those family members have not been accused of any independent unlawful conduct.
“A child cannot be held responsible for the alleged conduct, status, association or political opinion of a parent,” the spokesperson said. “Identity restrictions imposed solely because of a family relationship would raise grave concerns of collective punishment, discrimination and unlawful interference with family life.”
JKHRO has requested the immediate suspension of proceedings against minor children, reversal of restrictions based solely on family relationships, continued access to essential services, and disclosure of the precise legal basis and remedy available in every affected case.
Actions requested
JKHRO has called upon the AJK Human Rights Wing to:
Establish or recommend an independent and comprehensive human rights inquiry;
Obtain time-bound reports from all relevant AJK and Pakistani authorities;
Compile a consolidated and verified register of Fourth Schedule listings and restrictions;
Recommend an immediate moratorium on measures based solely on peaceful association or family relationships;
Ensure acknowledgement, judicial production and protection of all detainees;
Investigate civilian deaths, injuries and the alleged excessive use of force;
Recommend the reopening of affected schools and businesses pending review;
Review all NADRA, banking, passport, travel and communications restrictions;
Establish a confidential reporting mechanism; and
Protect victims, relatives, lawyers, journalists, educators, human rights defenders and witnesses from reprisals.
JKHRO has requested written acknowledgement of its submission within seven working days, confirmation within 14 working days of the authorities from which reports have been sought, notification of any interim protection measures, and a meeting with the Human Rights Wing to present redacted case documentation.
The organisation remains prepared to provide relevant official notifications, identity documents, banking evidence, victim profiles, detention records, school records, videos, photographs and redacted witness statements, subject to consent and appropriate confidentiality and data-protection safeguards.
“The Human Rights Wing must act as an impartial institutional safeguard by establishing the facts, protecting affected persons, preventing collective punishment and ensuring access to effective remedies,” the spokesperson added. “Every authority must be required to justify its actions according to law and fundamental human rights.”