Deadly protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir: What’s going on? | Civil Rights News
Clashes Leave 11 Dead in Pakistan-administered Kashmir as Tensions Escalate
RAWALAKOT, Pakistan-administered Kashmir — At least 11 people were killed and more than 70 others injured during violent clashes between police and protesters in Rawalakot City on Sunday. The conflict erupted ahead of a planned demonstration by a banned civil society group scheduled for Tuesday.
In response to the unrest, authorities deployed federal paramilitary troops and issued strict travel advisories to deter visitors from the area. The planned protest is set to occur despite these restrictions, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region.
Sardar Waheed Khan, the commissioner of the Poonch district, reported that four police officers and one civilian were among those who lost their lives, allegedly shot by “miscreants.” Six protestors were also killed in the skirmishes. Police Chief Liaqat Malik confirmed that the injuries included 23 security personnel and 50 protesters.
On Friday, local authorities advised against traveling to Rawalakot, citing safety concerns. An official from the region’s Press Information Department stated that the advisory aimed to protect visitors from potential disturbances. Residents and visitors were urged to leave the area before Friday evening to avoid confrontations.
Pakistan-administered Kashmir, locally known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), is a disputed territory claimed in full by both India and Pakistan, with China controlling a portion. AJK, governed under a semi-autonomous system, has a population exceeding four million, according to the 2017 census. The area is divided from Indian-administered Kashmir by the Line of Control (LoC), a military boundary extending approximately 740 kilometers (459 miles).
Context of the Protests
The demonstrations are driven by opposition to a recent decision reserving 12 seats in the region’s legislature for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir living elsewhere in Pakistan. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which represents various civil society and trade groups, is demanding the revocation of these reserved seats, asserting that they should be allocated to residents of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Abdul Jabbar Nasir, a journalist from Karachi originally from the Gilgit-Baltistan area, explained that the reserved seats date back to the late 1940s and were formalized in AJK’s 1974 interim constitution. Critics believe abolishing these seats could undermine Pakistan’s position in international discussions regarding Kashmir.
Khan noted that previous protests organized by the JAAC have resulted in violent clashes, leading to casualties on multiple occasions. The JAAC announced that the upcoming protest would continue as planned following unsuccessful negotiations with government leaders.
Legal and Political Implications
On Sunday, the Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir ruled that the reserved seats are constitutionally protected, indicating that any effort to abolish them would require a constitutional amendment. This decision has intensified the JAAC’s calls for protest, as it effectively closed off legal avenues for change.
Experts suggest that the unrest is part of a broader debate on political representation, resource allocation, and governance in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The JAAC’s demands extend beyond the reservation issue to include reforms in economic subsidies and investigations into corruption.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), expressed his intention to discuss the escalating tensions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He indicated that while progress had been made on several demands, others were not feasible due to legal constraints.
As Rawalakot braces for further unrest, the situation underscores a complex interplay of local grievances and the long-standing Kashmir dispute that continues to affect the region’s stability.
