The call for a strike by the Joint Public Action Committee in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on June 9 has sparked an important public debate: will repeated shutdowns truly secure public rights or will they primarily hurt ordinary Kashmiris struggling to earn a living in difficult economic conditions?

Public demands and peaceful protest are legitimate democratic rights. Citizens have every right to ask for accountability, transparency and better implementation of government commitments. However, the real concern is whether frequent strikes and market closures are helping resolve issues or creating additional hardship for the very people they claim to represent.

The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir hold a special place in Pakistan’s national and emotional consciousness. Despite Pakistan’s economic challenges, the federal government has continued to provide........

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