Massive Civilian Protests Set To Rock PoK; Islamabad Deploys Troops
Karachi : Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is witnessing one of its largest protests in recent history, as the Awami Action Committee (AAC) launched sweeping demonstrations across the region. The AAC, a civil society alliance that has gained traction in recent months, has rallied thousands under its banner, citing decades of political marginalisation and economic neglect.
The group’s 38-point charter demands structural reforms, including the abolition of 12 legislative seats in the PoK assembly reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, which locals argue undermines representative governance. Other priorities include subsidised flour, fairer power tariffs tied to the Mangla hydropower project, and implementation of long-delayed reforms promised by Islamabad.
Authorities have responded with a show of strength. In recent days, heavily armed convoys staged flag marches through major PoK towns, while thousands of troops were moved in from Punjab. On Saturday and Sunday, police sealed entry and exit points of key cities, with surveillance stepped up around sensitive installations. The AAC, a civil society alliance that has gained traction in recent months, has rallied thousands under its banner, citing decades of political marginalisation and economic neglect.
The group’s 38-point charter demands structural reforms, including the abolition of 12 legislative seats in the PoK assembly reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, which locals argue undermines representative governance. Other priorities include subsidised flour, fairer power tariffs tied to the Mangla hydropower project, and implementation of long-delayed reforms promised by Islamabad.
Authorities have responded with a show of strength. In recent days, heavily armed convoys staged flag marches through major PoK towns, while thousands of troops were moved in from Punjab. On Saturday and Sunday, police sealed entry and exit points of key cities, with surveillance stepped up around sensitive installations.
Islamabad has also dispatched an additional 1,000 police personnel from the capital to reinforce local security forces. Officials insist the crackdown is necessary to maintain order. “Peace is the collective responsibility of citizens and the administration,” The Dawn quoted District Magistrate Mudasser Farooq, warning against any disruption of public life.
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