Pakistan, May 19 -- There is no doubt that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have genuine concerns. No responsible government, political party or commentator can dismiss public anxiety over flour, electricity, prices, jobs, health facilities, schools, roads and governance. In fact, the first duty of any state is to listen when people complain. A citizen who asks for affordable bread, fair bills and better services is not committing a crime. He is exercising his right.

But rights also demand responsibility. This is why the proposed June 9 strike by the Joint Awami Action Committee raises a serious question: will another shutdown bring relief to the ordinary Kashmiri, or will it hurt the very people in whose name it is being called?

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