Pakistan Occupied Kashmir / Rebellion erupts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, lockdown announced; situation worsens

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir: Public anger is now at its peak in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Fed up with the atrocities of Pakistani rulers, the people have now openly revolted. Anti-government protests led by the Awami Action Committee have intensified, and a strike called on Monday has created a lockdown-like situation across the region.

Crowds Take to the Streets

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These protests have completely disrupted normal life. Shops are closed, roads are blocked, and public transport has been completely halted. Following the call of the Awami Action Committee, large crowds of protesters are chanting slogans against the government from Muzaffarabad to Kotli. People are raising strong slogans demanding justice and their rights.

Awami Action Committee: Voice of the People

The Awami Action Committee, a civil society coalition, has gained widespread popularity in recent months. A large number of youth are associated with this organization, demanding structural reforms in PoK. The committee has presented a 38-point charter, the key demands of which include:

Abolishing the 12 legislative seats reserved in the PoK Assembly for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan.

Providing subsidized flour.

• Ensuring fair electricity rates related to the Mangla Hydroelectric Project.
• Implementing long-delayed reforms promised by Islamabad.

"Pakistan considers PoK a colony."

Addressing a gathering in Muzaffarabad, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a prominent leader of the Awami Action Committee, said, "Our struggle is for the basic rights denied to us since 1947. The Pakistan government treats PoK as a colony, not as an integral part with equal rights." His statement has further energized the protesters.

Pakistani Government's Response

Videos of these protests in PoK are rapidly going viral on social media. The Pakistani government has taken strict measures to control the situation. Heavy security forces have been deployed in many areas, internet services have been blocked, and reinforcements have been called in from Islamabad. Entry and exit routes to cities like Muzaffarabad have been barricaded.