Why PoK Unrest Deepens Further

The situation in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir (PoK) has continued to deteriorate, with protests showing no signs of abating. Reports of enforced disappearances have increased significantly, while protesters have accused Pakistani security forces of using excessive force to quell the agitation. When the protests erupted nearly three months ago, security forces used force to disperse the demonstrators. Pakistan also allegedly facilitated the infiltration of unruly elements into the protest sites, with the resulting violence providing grounds for the security forces to use force against the protesters. With the protesters remaining adamant this time, the Pakistani establishment has been appealing for peace. On the one hand, they appeal for peace, while on the other, they are carrying out targeted killings of innocent people in the region. This time around, the protesters were not being attacked or forced to be used against them directly. The security forces are, instead, indulging in targeted killings. They randomly just shoot and kill people who are not even connected with the protest. The idea is to instill fear in the minds of the people so that they put pressure on the protesters to withdraw. Earlier this week, two such incidents were reported from Rawalakot. Two motorcyclists were targeted in separate incidents. One died and the other sustained injuries. The Pakistani security forces, however, refused to hand over the body of the deceased. The situation was alarming and could deteriorate further. A complete communications blackout has been reported in PoK, making it difficult for accurate information from the region to emerge. The Pakistani media is silent on the situation in PoK. This explains why the exact number of forced disappearances, deaths and arrests are not known to the rest of the world. Amid the continuing media blackout, allegations of excesses by Pakistani security forces in the region have persisted. The latest incidents of targeted killings have further compounded the problems faced by the people of PoK, who are already grappling with growing unrest and uncertainty. What is ironic is that in PoK, the atrocities continue unabated, but a close Pakistan ally, Turkish President Recep Erdogan, raises the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue within the framework of the UN Charter. India has always maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and there shall be no outside intervention on the same. Pakistan, meanwhile, maintains that it has made several offers for dialogue and peace to the people of PoK. However, protesters remain deeply suspicious of the government’s intentions. The recent incidents of targeted killings have further fuelled their doubts about the motives of the Pakistani establishment. Soon after a peace offer was made, Pakistan announced a bounty of PKR 1 crore on those organising the protests. Protesters have said they initially trusted the establishment and even signed some of the peace agreements. However, they alleged that several of the signatories were subsequently killed or have gone missing. The protests began with demands for better amenities such as water supply, roads and medical facilities. Now a demand is also being made for electoral reforms after it was found that the establishment was trying to rig the elections in PoK in favour of the PML-N. Pakistan, in fact, does not want a solution in PoK. It would do everything it can to suppress dissent through force, even if it means that the human rights violations go up manifold. Residents in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have been facing an internet shutdown for more than 100 days with the disruption impacting banking, business, education and access to information. Mobile data and broadband services have remained suspended or severely restricted in PoK since June 5, after protests led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) started in the occupied territory. Internet disruption continues in PoK even after the completion of electoral process, having severely afftected online banking, commercial activity and even entrance examinations for students having been postponed. PoK is witnessing the most extensive confrontation between the local population and the Pakistani state in decades, with deadly violence, suspension of the internet, and police brutality. The protests, which initially began over increasing prices of electricity and essential commodities, transformed into a movement calling for political reforms, greater accountability, and representative government. Several videos posted on various social media handles, including that of the JKJAAC, have shown the massive brutality of Pakistani forces in PoK over the past many months. Voting for the so-called polls conducted in PoK did not take place or remained disrupted in protest strongholds for security reasons. A so-called “government” was formed in PoK based on results from the voting in the remaining constituencies of PoK. However, the internet services remain suspended in PoK even after the completion of the electoral process. What began as an emergency measure amid protests and electoral tensions has continued into a fourth month, affecting everyday life far beyond the political confrontation itself. Human rights organisations are calling for communications to be restored, independent journalists to be allowed access, allegations of excessive force to be investigated and political grievances to be addressed through dialogue rather than coercive measures.