New Delhi: Tensions are running high in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), creating a precarious situation. People in the region are demanding entry into India and accusing the Pakistani government and army of oppression. The Jammu-Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Pakistani government.
Furthermore, the JAAC has warned the government that if its 38 demands are not addressed promptly, it will be forced to stage massive protests. The immediate issue at hand concerns the regional elections scheduled for July 27. The JAAC has also announced a major protest march to Muzaffarabad, signalling what could become one of the most significant political battles witnessed in the region.
Demand to Abolish Reserved Seats for Refugees
The Jammu-Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee has placed significant demands before the Pakistani government, warning of a major agitation if they are not met. Among these, the demand to abolish the 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiris settled in Pakistan, which lie at the heart of the ongoing protests in PoK, has come as a surprise to many.
The JAAC argues that these seats allow Islamabad to maintain excessive influence over PoK’s politics. Adding a new dimension to the controversy, the PoK Supreme Court ruled on June 7 that while these 12 seats are constitutionally protected, they can be abolished through an executive order.
Major Demands by the Jammu-Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee
In addition to seeking the abolition of the 12 reserved seats, the Jammu-Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee has demanded a complete renegotiation of hydropower projects and measures to curb rising inflation. The argument raised regarding the high cost of electricity is that the price of power generated within a region should not be excessive for its own residents.
Is PoK not a part of Pakistan?
Pakistan consistently refers to this region as ‘Azad Kashmir.’ However, its constitutional and administrative structure presents a more complex picture. Technically, PoK is not part of Pakistan under Article 1 of the Pakistani Constitution, which lists the country’s provinces. Consequently, the region has no representation in Pakistan’s national parliament.
It is worth noting that, on paper, PoK has its own President, Prime Minister, Supreme Court, and elected assembly. Nevertheless, significant authority remains vested in institutions controlled by Islamabad, specifically the Kashmir Council, which is headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Notably, the people of PoK have been protesting on the streets against the Pakistan government for quite some time. The Pakistani army has also been mistreating the protesters. Videos circulating on social media show residents of PoK demanding that the border with India be opened so that they can leave Pakistan.
