The recent eruption of mass protests in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK) has brought to light the deep-seated grievances of a population long subjected to neglect, repression, and exploitation by the Pakistani establishment. Decades of economic marginalization, denial of political rights, and systematic resource exploitation have fueled widespread unrest, exposing the incompetence and indifference of Islamabad’s leadership. The protests, led by the Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee (JKAAC), mark a unified stand against Pakistan’s colonial-like treatment of POJK, where the region is treated as a resource to be plundered rather than a community deserving of dignity and development.

A History of Neglect and Repression

For years, POJK has endured step-motherly treatment from Islamabad. The Pakistani establishment has consistently prioritized elite interests in urban centers like Islamabad and Lahore, while peripheral regions like POJK, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, South Punjab, and Interior Sindh face poverty, underdevelopment, and political exclusion. In POJK, the installation of puppet administrations, exploitation of natural resources, and denial of democratic representation have deepened local resentment. The practice of granting privileges to refugees settled in Pakistan, at the expense of authentic self-governance for POJK residents, has further alienated the population.

The JKAAC, uniting communities from Rawalakot, Mirpur, Kotli, and other regions, has emerged as a powerful voice of resistance. Their demands for basic rights, economic justice, and political representation have been met with predictable authoritarian tactics: blockades, communication blackouts, and brutal violence.

Escalating Protests and Violent Crackdowns

The unrest, which intensified on October 1, 2025, has seen widespread mobilization across POJK. A long march to Muzaffarabad, called by JKAAC central leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir, drew thousands from towns like Kotli, Dhirkot, and Dadyal. Protesters faced severe repression from Pakistani security forces, resulting in a tragic loss of life. In Dhirkot, Bagh district, police opened fire on a convoy of approximately 2,000 JKAAC workers, killing four civilians and injuring sixteen others, including local police personnel. In Muzaffarabad, two civilians were killed during clashes at Lal Chowk, where aerial firing and tear gas shelling were reported. Additional deaths were recorded in Dadyal and Chamyati village near Kohala, bringing the total death toll to ten, with over 100 injured over three days of protests.

In Kotli, a complete shutdown paralyzed the region, with major entry and exit routes blocked by JKAAC-led sit-ins. In Dadyal, a convoy from Chakswari and Islamgarh was fired upon, resulting in two deaths and ten injuries. Attempts to block protesters, such as the use of containers at Palak Bridge in Dadyal, failed as determined civilians hurled barricades into the river, symbolizing their defiance against state oppression.

The Pakistani authorities’ response has been characteristically heavy-handed. In Muzaffarabad, a communication blackout severed internet and mobile services, a tactic aimed at isolating protesters and stifling their message. JKAAC leaders, undeterred, threatened to dismantle state-controlled infrastructure unless services were restored. Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary of the POJK government issued a notice inviting JKAAC leaders for negotiations but simultaneously warned of “strict action” if protests continued—a hollow gesture that underscores Islamabad’s preference for coercion over dialogue.

A Broader Pattern of Repression

The crisis in POJK is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of mismanagement and repression across Pakistan’s peripheral regions. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s use of heavy weaponry in civilian areas under the guise of counter-terrorism has caused widespread casualties and trauma. In Balochistan, enforced disappearances, military crackdowns, and deliberate underdevelopment have fueled a decades-long struggle for justice. South Punjab and Interior Sindh face similar neglect, with poverty and resource denial fostering deep alienation.

Pakistan’s “divide and exploit” policy has consistently prioritized control over development, responding to legitimate grievances with troops, curfews, and brute force. The paralysis of markets, shutdown of institutions, and ongoing mass mobilization in POJK highlight the failure of Islamabad’s governance model, which relies on suppression rather than reform.

Rawalakot, once manipulated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) as a hub for anti-India activities, has now become a center of resistance, with locals demanding genuine autonomy and control over their resources. In Bagh, the capture of Punjab police personnel by protesters underscores the growing breakdown of Pakistani authority and the rising tide of public retaliation. These developments signal a significant shift, as communities once divided by Islamabad’s tactics now unite under a shared demand for justice.

The Pakistani Establishment’s Deflection Tactics

In a familiar pattern, pro-establishment media and social media platforms have attempted to portray the POJK protests as the work of “external agencies,” deflecting accountability from Islamabad’s failures. This tactic mirrors historical narratives, such as labeling the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) insurgency as “Indian-sponsored” or the Balochistan rebellion as “Fitna-al-Hindustan.” By externalizing blame, the Pakistani establishment avoids addressing the root causes of unrest: its own incompetence and neglect.

The unrest in POJK has reverberated beyond its borders. JKAAC workers in London have announced a protest outside the Pakistan High Commission on October 2, 2025, signaling international solidarity with the movement. This global attention underscores the severity of the crisis and the failure of Pakistan’s governance to address the legitimate demands of its citizens.

The protests in POJK represent a defining moment for Pakistan. The courage of ordinary citizens—facing bullets, tear gas, and communication blackouts—lays bare the bankruptcy of Islamabad’s repressive tactics. The crisis exposes a leadership that prioritizes control over dialogue, exploitation over development, and force over reform. As POJK’s residents prepare for further protests and regional shutdowns, the Pakistani establishment faces a stark choice: address the genuine demands of its people or risk further alienation and unrest across its marginalized provinces.

From an Indian perspective, these developments highlight Pakistan’s internal crisis, driven by decades of mismanagement and disregard for its own citizens. The unrest in POJK, much like the struggles in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other regions, serves as a testament to the failure of Pakistan’s governance model. Until Islamabad embraces inclusive governance and genuine reform, the cycle of resistance and repression will continue to define its troubled periphery.