AJK election and beyond

The 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative election is unfolding amid violent protests led by the defunct Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the absence of two major political groups, JAAC and PTI, which have historically influenced the region's politics. The election will be held in three phases due to security concerns, with the third phase in Poonch (Rawlakot) division delayed until August 10, raising questions about the legitimacy and representativeness of the new legislative assembly.