GENEVA/MUZAFFARABAD – The escalating human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) has been thrust into the international spotlight at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), following days of violent unrest that have left multiple dead, dozens injured, and the region under a communications blackout.
The crisis stems from widespread protests led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), which began as a peaceful strike over unmet economic and political demands but have since descended into deadly clashes between demonstrators, state authorities, and rival political factions.
Unrest Rooted in Grievances and “Elite Privileges”
The protests, which have paralyzed Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoJK, and spread to key districts like Mirpur and Kotli, are a direct response to what locals describe as decades of systemic neglect and exploitation. The JKJAAC’s 38-point charter of demands highlights deep-seated frustrations, including:
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The Elimination of Reserved Seats: A key demand is the abolition of 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan. Protestors argue this practice dilutes the political representation of local Kashmiris.
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Rollback of Elite Subsidies: The charter calls for an end to subsidies on electricity and wheat for the region’s bureaucratic and political elite, while the general populace grapples with soaring prices and taxes.
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Economic Justice: Protestors are demanding fair electricity royalties from hydroelectric projects built in PoJK, which they claim are siphoned by the federal government in Islamabad, leaving the region in poverty.
From Shutdown to Siege: Protests Turn Violent
What began as a “shutdown and wheel-jam strike” on Monday quickly turned violent. Tensions flared as rival political groups staged counter-protests, each blaming the other for instigating clashes. Pakistani authorities responded with a heavy hand, deploying paramilitary Rangers and imposing a near-total internet and mobile phone blackout in an attempt to quell the movement.
The human cost has been steep. Initial reports confirmed at least one civilian death and over a dozen injuries. The situation escalated further, with local media now reporting that at least three police personnel have been killed and over 100 people injured in the ensuing violence. The scope of civilian casualties remains unclear due to the information blackout.
Life in Muzaffarabad and other towns has ground to a halt. Shops, hotels, and commercial centers remain shuttered, public transport has vanished from the roads, and while schools are officially open, classrooms are empty as parents keep children at home.
The International Appeal: A “Siege” at the UNHRC
Amid the crackdown, the plight of PoJK’s residents reached the global stage at the 60th UNHRC session in Geneva. Nasir Aziz Khan, a spokesperson for the pro-independence United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), delivered a stark warning, urging the UN and the international community to intervene against Pakistan’s “growing repression.”
“Over three million Kashmiris in PoJK remain under siege, while two million abroad have lost contact with their families,” Khan stated, referring to the communications blackout as a “deliberate attempt to silence dissent and isolate people during a critical phase of resistance.”
He reminded member states of their obligations under international treaties like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to safeguard fundamental freedoms. Khan characterized the JKJAAC’s strike as a reflection of “rising local anger over deprivation and exploitation,” accusing Pakistan of deploying Rangers to “crush a peaceful movement seeking rights, resources, and justice.”
Government Response: A Mix of Concessions and Force
Facing sustained pressure, the Pakistani government has adopted a dual strategy of offering negotiations while maintaining a show of strength on the ground.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told reporters that “90 per cent of the committee’s demands have already been accepted,” and offered to act as a guarantor for their implementation. However, this claim has been met with skepticism by protest leaders, who point to the continued military deployment and communication blockade as evidence of the government’s bad faith.
The JKJAAC has vowed to continue its protests until its demands are met in full, warning of further escalation if their grievances are ignored. The situation remains tense, with the region caught between a popular uprising for basic rights and a state apparatus determined to maintain control, all under the growing scrutiny of the international community.
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