How protests in PoK expose Pakistan’s Kashmir hypocrisy

The recent incident in Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) where a police officer was killed and more than 100 law enforcement agents were injured during protests against inflation and lack of amenities serves as a grim reminder of the longstanding human rights violations and unrest in the region. Since its forcible occupation by Pakistan in 1947, PoK has been subjected to systematic repression and denial of basic rights by the Pakistani state.

Political repression has been a hallmark of Pakistan’s control over PoK. The region lacks autonomy, with governance firmly controlled by Islamabad through puppet administrations. Elections are often rigged, dissent is violently suppressed, and political activists are routinely targeted for arrest or disappearance. This lack of political freedom has fuelled widespread discontent among the local population.

Moreover, PoK has suffered from neglect in terms of socio-economic development as well. Basic amenities like healthcare, education, and infrastructure are woefully inadequate, leading to widespread poverty and unemployment. Economic policies favour Islamabad, with little investment directed towards the development of the region. This economic marginalisation has further exacerbated the grievances of the people of PoK.

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Freedom of expression is severely curtailed; journalists, activists, and intellectuals face harassment, intimidation, and violence for daring to criticise the Pakistani government. Censorship and control over media outlets prevent the dissemination of alternative viewpoints, effectively silencing dissenting voices.

Human rights violations in PoK are rampant and egregious. Arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances are commonplace. Security forces operate with impunity, targeting dissenters and perpetuating a culture of fear and intimidation. The recent incident of police brutality during the protests is just one example of the routine violence inflicted upon the people of PoK.

The repressive policies of the Pakistani state have fuelled many separatist movements. Many residents advocate for independence from Pakistan, citing historical grievances and the denial of basic rights. However, these voices are often marginalised, and separatist leaders face persecution and repression.

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The recent protests against inflation and lack of amenities are symptomatic of the deep-seated grievances of the people living under Pakistani occupation. Calls for international intervention to address the human rights situation in PoK have grown louder, with activists like Amjad Ayub Mirza appealing to the Indian government for support.

The Awami Action Committee (AAC) initiated protests on May 10 decrying inflation, prompting a swift crackdown by security forces. A shutter-down strike ensued, accompanied by police resorting to teargas shelling. Demonstrations erupted across several districts including Muzaffarabad, Sehnsa, Mirpur, Rawalkot, Khuiratta, Tattapani, and Hattian Bala. In response, the POK government invoked Section 144, effectively shuttering educational institutions and offices. Disturbing footage circulating on social media depicted police wielding batons against protesters, resulting in more than a hundred people getting injured.

Amjad Ayub Mirza also alleged that the Pakistani forces opened fire on unarmed civilians, escalating tensions further. Mirza urged the Indian government to intervene, citing the deteriorating situation and advocating for independence not only for POoK but also for Gilgit Baltistan.

Reports suggest that the protests were catalysed by the tragic deaths of two minor girls, purportedly caused by baton-charging and exposure to tear gas during earlier demonstrations. These incidents have sparked outrage across ten districts, with residents condemning Pakistan’s purported solidarity with Kashmiris as disingenuous.

Tensions further escalated when the assistant commissioner of PoJK was reportedly assaulted by residents after issuing orders to disperse peaceful protesters with tear gas shells.

The AAC’s grievances extend beyond economic concerns, with protests now encompassing broader issues of human rights violations and police brutality. The committee has been vocal about what they perceive as unjust taxation on electricity bills, staging a similar shutter-down strike in August 2023. They demand fair pricing for electricity based on hydel power production costs in PoJK.

In sum, what began as protests against economic hardship has morphed into a broader outcry against perceived injustices, underscoring the deep-seated discontent within PoK.

Pakistan’s consistent rhetoric on advocating for the rights of Kashmiris on international platforms stands in stark contrast to its own egregious treatment of Kashmiris under its control. The glaring hypocrisy of Pakistan’s stance becomes apparent when examining its actions and policies in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan (GB).

Pakistan has long portrayed itself as a champion of Kashmiri rights, regularly raising the issue of Kashmir at various international forums. It has utilised platforms like the United Nations to highlight alleged human rights violations in Kashmir, garnering international attention and sympathy for the plight of Kashmiris. Pakistan’s relentless drumbeat on the Kashmir issue resembles a broken record, played on the international stage to the tune of sympathy and funding. With each rendition, Pakistan portrays itself as the valiant champion of Kashmiri rights, raising the issue at every available forum to solicit international support and resources. However, Pakistan’s own record in PoK and GB tells a different story.

It is imperative for the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions and pressure Islamabad to address the plight of Kashmiris under its control.

When India decided to abrogate Article 370, a provision granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s reaction was nothing short of tumultuous, despite the fact that it was unequivocally India’s internal matter. The move, aimed at integrating Jammu and Kashmir more closely with the rest of the country, sent shockwaves across the border, prompting a flurry of frantic diplomatic maneuvers and inflammatory rhetoric from Islamabad.

Pakistan’s response to India’s decision was characterised by a mixture of outrage, indignation, and fear. Islamabad viewed the abrogation of Article 370 as a direct challenge to its long-standing narrative on Kashmir and its aspirations for the region. The move threatened to undermine Pakistan’s decades-old strategy of fomenting unrest in Kashmir and using the issue as a rallying cry for domestic and international support.

In the days following India’s decision, Pakistan embarked on a frenzied diplomatic offensive, attempting to garner international condemnation of India’s actions. It sought to portray the abrogation of Article 370 as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability. Pakistani officials issued dire warnings of potential conflict and even nuclear war, raising tensions to dangerous levels.

However, despite Pakistan’s best efforts to internationalise the issue, the overwhelming consensus within the international community was that India’s decision was an internal matter. Most countries refrained from intervening in what they saw as a domestic issue, recognising India’s sovereign right to make decisions concerning its own territory.

Pakistan’s reaction to the abrogation of Article 370 underscored its deep-seated insecurities and anxieties regarding the Kashmir issue. The move served as a stark reminder of the limitations of Pakistan’s influence on the matter and its inability to dictate the course of events in Kashmir.

India’s stance on PoK has been resolute and unambiguous, with top officials reaffirming India’s claim over the region and expressing a commitment to its eventual integration into the Indian Union. Home Minister Amit Shah, in a bold address delivered at a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli, emphatically asserted India’s sovereignty over PoK, firmly rejecting any notion of relinquishing the territory, even in the face of Pakistan’s possession of nuclear capabilities.

Shah’s words rang out with conviction as he posed a rhetorical question to the gathered crowd, “I want to ask you, if Pakistan has atom bombs, should we leave PoK?” His response left no room for doubt as he declared, “I promise you today, we don’t get scared of atom bombs, PoK belongs to India and no one can take it away from us.”

Echoing Shah’s sentiments, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India’s position during a media interaction in Mumbai, asserting that the illegal occupation of PoK would end, and the region would inevitably become part of India. Jaishankar emphasised India’s clarity on the matter, citing a parliamentary resolution affirming PoK as an integral part of India’s territory.

These statements from key Indian officials reflect not only India’s firm resolve regarding PoK but also its commitment to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Recent protests and calls for assistance from activists in PoK align with India’s long-standing position on the region, emphasising the desires of the Kashmiri people to be integrated into the Indian Union.

India’s clear and unequivocal stance on PoK underscores its unwavering commitment to territorial integrity and sovereignty, while also signaling a readiness to address the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people in accordance with democratic principles and international law.

The writer takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.