Washington, August 2: Recent violence and killings in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) are not merely the result of a sudden failure of administrative systems. Instead, they reflect a political structure that deprives the people of POK of meaningful control over their political and economic futures. This assertion comes from an analytical report published in the U.S.-based magazine Jacobin.
The report highlights that POK is officially presented as a politically autonomous region, not formally recognized as part of Pakistan. However, the reality is that its autonomy is largely superficial. Whenever the local population demands genuine democracy and rights, Islamabad resorts to repression and force.
According to the report, the electoral process in POK is also not fair. Islamabad manipulates elections, particularly through reserved seats, to install a government of its choice. The local administration operates under the directives of Pakistan rather than serving the interests of the local populace.
Currently, POK is witnessing the largest mass movement in decades. Protests began on June 5 and have intensified over time. Internet services across the region have been shut down, and mobile communications have been suspended.
Protesters claim that Pakistani security forces have taken severe actions to suppress the movement, resulting in over 50 deaths and hundreds of injuries. They also assert that the actual death toll may be significantly higher than government figures suggest.
The immediate triggers for the protests include rising electricity rates, fuel price hikes, inflation, and declining living standards. However, underlying these issues is a profound political and economic dissatisfaction. The report states that the people of POK bear the burden of policies in which they have no real democratic participation.
While the local administration may appear to be autonomous, the ultimate authority for all significant decisions lies with Islamabad. This dynamic reinforces economic exploitation and political subjugation.
The ruling class in Pakistan is not merely protecting a single government or administrative body; it is safeguarding an entire system that relies on preventing the people of Jammu and Kashmir from having effective control over their political and economic futures.
Furthermore, the report indicates that the local administration in POK, influenced by the federal government and military, has failed to meet the key demands of the Joint Action Committee, leading to increased public discontent.
The actions of Pakistani security forces against civilians have also raised questions about Islamabad’s long-standing claim of being the greatest advocate for Kashmiri Muslims. The report asserts that Pakistan, which claims to support the Kashmir issue, is being held responsible for the deaths of numerous civilians during the protests in the region.
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