ThePrint CutTheClutter: Behind violent PoK protests, complexities of its Assembly & Pakistan's many contradictions
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Oct 3, 2025 Delve into the recent violent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir sparked by local grievances like soaring prices and elite privileges. Explore the controversial labeling of Azad Kashmir during a cricket match that ignited tensions. Learn about the complexities of the region's assembly, reserved seats for refugees, and the distinct identities of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Discover Pakistan's struggle between autonomy claims and constitutional contradictions, all while navigating the political landscape shaped by fixed elections and persistent leadership.
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Labels Carry Geopolitical Weight
- Sana Mir's remark calling a Pakistani player from "Azad Kashmir" triggered political backlash because the label carries contested meanings.
- India views it as "POK" while Pakistan frames it as "Azad Jammu and Kashmir," tied to plebiscite claims.
Local Grievances Spark Broader Unrest
- Protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir combined local grievances like prices and power with demands to end elite privileges.
- Demonstrators oppose VIP perks and reserved political influence that concentrate wealth and power locally.
Reserved Seats Fuel Local Resentment
- Twelve assembly seats reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir create local resentment and patronage.
- These seats let outsiders influence POK politics and are seen as federal instruments to preserve Pakistan's Kashmir narrative.