New Delhi: Civilian unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has intensified, with demonstrators confronting the Pakistani government and military over years of alleged exploitation and repression.
Shaukat Nawaz Mir, senior leader of the Awami Action Committee (AAC), likened the Pakistan Army and government to “a witch bent on killing people,” accusing them of crushing the very population they claim to protect. “Azad Kashmir is not free but shackled by decades of oppression,” Mir told thousands of protesters. He emphasised that the struggle is against an entire system, not an individual.
The protests began over skyrocketing electricity bills and food shortages but have evolved into a broader movement demanding justice, political rights, and accountability. Reports indicate that Pakistani forces have killed at least 12 civilians and injured more than 200, while clashes also left three policemen dead and nine injured.
Mir accused Islamabad of hypocrisy, highlighting statements by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir that blamed Hindus for atrocities while local dissent is met with violence. “Voices of dissent are brutally suppressed, media silenced, and protesters treated as enemies. Our demand is clear — justice and rights for the people,” he asserted.
Observers note that the protests mark a historic shift, with slogans directly challenging Islamabad and the military, undermining the notion of ‘Azad Kashmir’. Mir vowed that the struggle “will last till our last breath” and pledged to continue the ‘Long March’ despite ongoing internet blackouts and limited media coverage.
The scale and intensity of the demonstrations pose an unprecedented challenge for Pakistan’s government and military, as citizens openly accuse the authorities of being oppressors in a region they claim to defend.
