New Delhi: Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir is witnessing a fresh wave of turmoil as students, largely from Gen Z, march through major towns protesting the Sharif government’s handling of education. What began as a peaceful demonstration over rising university fees and serious flaws in the exam evaluation system has escalated sharply after gunfire broke out during one of the rallies, leaving a student injured and triggering wider outrage.
This is the second major spell of unrest in the region in recent months. PoK had earlier seen large demonstrations demanding economic relief, lower electricity tariffs, and long-pending development work. The new agitation, however, is driven almost entirely by students who say they are fed up with mismanagement and unfair academic practices.
The current movement started at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Muzaffarabad, where students protested steep fee hikes and widespread errors in results after a new digital marking system was introduced for matriculation and intermediate exams. After waiting nearly six months for their intermediate first-year results, many students reported shockingly low marks, while others said they were marked as having passed subjects they never took. A review panel was eventually set up, but a rechecking fee of 1,500 rupees per subject sparked additional anger. The government’s decision to block student unions and political activity on campus further inflamed sentiment.
Tensions exploded earlier this week when a man allegedly opened fire at demonstrators in the presence of police. Witnesses say the attacker fled without resistance, sparking outrage once videos of the incident spread online. The shooting pushed citizens’ groups and student organisations to join forces, accusing authorities of enabling intimidation and demanding accountability from the political leadership and security forces.
Reports indicate the Sharif government is on high alert, worried the agitation could gain momentum beyond PoK and inspire similar unrest across Pakistan. Observers have noted parallels with recent youth-driven protests in Nepal, where young people mobilised against corruption and limited opportunities. With the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee pledging support to the students, the movement now carries a broader political weight that could challenge Islamabad’s attempts to contain it.
