Some shops reopened and public transport services partially resumed in Azad Kashmir on Tuesday following weeks of disruption caused by anti-government protests, though residents and traders said fuel shortages and Internet outages continued to hamper a return to normal life.
Background of the Protests
Supporters of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an anti-government movement demanding economic and governance reforms, had pressed ahead with protests despite the group being banned this month under anti-terrorism laws. Protests, sit-ins and business strikes had paralyzed daily life across much of the region, according to officials and residents.
Limited Reopening in Muzaffarabad
Despite the reopening of shops in the regional capital, Muzaffarabad, AFP observed limited activity at the city’s main bus terminal, which serves routes to Islamabad, while many businesses remained closed.
“Today, after several days, I was finally able to set up my fruit cart again,” fruit seller Muhammad Sulaman told AFP. “For the past eight days, my family had run out of flour, sugar and other basic household necessities. Today, I brought fruit from the wholesale market on credit so I could restart earning a living.”
Fuel Shortage Paralyzes Transport
Auto-rickshaw driver Rana Muhammad Ilyas said a shortage of fuel had left transport services struggling despite the easing of protests. “The biggest problem right now is the lack of fuel,” he said. “With no petrol available, there are hardly any passengers, and business has come to a standstill.”
Economic Impact on Traders
Local businessman Muhammad Fatah Yab said the prolonged shutdown had inflicted heavy financial losses on traders. “Our businesses have been devastated,” he said. “Once a business is disrupted, it can take months or even years to recover.”
Call for Restoration of Services
Gohar Kashmiri, senior vice chairman of the Central Traders Association, said between 200 and 400 shops had reopened across Muzaffarabad’s main commercial areas but urged authorities to restore fuel supplies and Internet services to enable business activity to resume fully.
