Voices of rebellion echo in POK

June 12, 2026

Following the partition of India, Pakistani tribesmen attacked Kashmir, leading to its division; one part went to Pakistan. While officially termed ‘Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir’ (PoK), Indians prefer to call it “Enslaved Kashmir”. Meanwhile, Indian-administered Kashmir kept pace with India’s overall progress.

Following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A, the atmosphere there became truly liberated, and the Kashmir Valley began generating substantial revenue from tourists across India. Kashmir underwent rapid modernization. Mall plazas opened in Srinagar, and Lal Chowk became a hub of festive activity. In contrast, the condition of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir remained dire. The Pakistani government continued to exploit the region without paying the slightest attention to its development; inflation, backwardness, and corruption became rampant.

The people’s demands are straightforward: affordable electricity, subsidized flour, and the right for locals—rather than Pakistani traders— to benefit from local resources, preventing the continued degradation of the region. Recently, the situation in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir has spiraled out of control, with the public rising in protest. The Pakistani government imposed a curfew, suspended internet services, and deployed a massive military force to assert control. In an attempt to suppress the agitators, security forces opened fire indiscriminately—reminiscent of General Dyer— resulting in 30 deaths.

Severe violence erupted across the region starting Monday; the situation became uncontrollable in areas like Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, and Bhimber. People took to the streets in protest marches, leading to clashes between demonstrators and Pakistani security forces, leaving 200 people injured. A contributing factor to the agitation is that Pakistan has designated the 12 reserved refugee seats for the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir assembly within its own territories, claiming that refugees from this region have settled there. Kashmiris are unwilling to tolerate this high-handedness and want these 12 reserved seats restored