Islamabad could be on the brink of witnessing another separatist movement after Balochistan as unrest is brewing in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with thousands hitting the streets to protest the high-handedness of the Pakistan armed forces, while a region-wide shutdown has been called to press for demands.
What are PoK’s demands?
The Neelum Valley Public Action Committee, led by Shaukat Nawaz Mir, which is protesting the Pakistan government’s negligence and apathy in the strategic region, has called for a complete shutdown on Monday (September 29), to press for public demands, even as Islamabad and its military have hinted at the will the use force to crush the movement, with armed forces conducting flag marches to assert area dominance.
Representing the Public Action Committee, Mir urged Pakistan government to address the long-standing grievances of people in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), accusing Islamabad of neglect and corruption, while the PoJK people are being deprived of fundamental rights such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and clean water.
Mir said Monday’s lockdown is a direct response to years of government neglect and corruption, as well as the region’s resources being wasted on political patronage and bribery.
Why PoK is on boil?
The people of the region have fostered simmering anger against the Pakistani government for a long time, but Islamabad’s threat to use force against protesters has exacerbated public outrage, with Shaukat Mir warning that people’s patience has worn thin.
Local lawyers and civil groups have rallied behind the committee, calling the shutdown a democratic right, and urging authorities to tackle the underlying issues instead of resorting to suppression. Monday’s shutdown, which has garnered significant public support, is expected to cripple day-to-day life across PoK with businesses and transport likely to remain shut throughout the region.
Public Action Committees are mobilizing residents in various PoK districts across PoK, while authorities have attempted to crush the protests with brute force. Observers fear a critical crisis is imminent in the region if Pakistani government and military fail to handle the situation with sensitivity.
