PoK protests intensify amid fears of Islamabad's bid to seize direct control
New Delhi, June 13
) The protests and the subsequent atrocities being committed do not seem to have died down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and although the authorities have made an offer for talks, the Joint Awami Action Committee has not accepted it as they feel it is a futile exercise.
The JAAC says holding talks has no meaning as the Pakistan establishment has never honoured its assurances.
An Indian intelligence official said that the offer for talks is just an eyewash by Islamabad as it wants everything to be settled on its own terms.
The official tracking the developments says that the real intention of Islamabad is to take complete control over PoK. It does not want a government in the region and instead wants to run the show from Islamabad.
Another official said that the real intention of not letting talks succeed and the refusal to honour its commitments in Islamabad is linked to the implementation of Article 56 of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Interim Constitution Act of 1974. The official said that the push this time is being made for the implementation of this article so that the federal government in Islamabad can have complete control over Islamabad.
If implemented, it would allow Islamabad to dismiss the government in PoK and also dissolve the Legislative Assembly. If Article 56 is implemented, then the view of the majority government in PoK would make no difference, and all decisions would be made by Islamabad.
The implementation of Article 56 would bypass the provision whereby Pakistan does not recognise PoK as a formal province of Pakistan. PoK is a self-governing autonomous state under the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Interim Constitution Act of 1974.
Where PoK is concerned, Pakistan only controls foreign affairs, defence, security, currency and foreign trade. However, when it comes to matters relating to day-to-day affairs and decision-making, it is the PoK government which is in control.
Officials say that the Pakistan government wants to deny PoK its autonomy and seeks to take complete control. The official pointed out that the real reason is not to integrate PoK with the rest of Pakistan. The only intention is to scuttle dissent by brute force and ensure that protesters seeking development for the region are beaten down, the official added.
Another official said that for the Pakistani establishment, the ongoing protests are becoming too hard to handle. This time around, the situation is different since there is a global diaspora which has been protesting abroad, raising human rights violations and atrocities in PoK, the official also added.
Further, the protests, unlike in the past, have not been restricted only to Muzaffarabad. This time around, it has spread across the region, which has made the job of the security agencies harder. Pakistan has been considering stringent action against the protesters which will be both through brute force and legal action, officials say.
Officials say that the region has seen protests in the past as well. The region is rich in its water resources, precious gemstones, and industrial and metallic minerals. The people complain that the funds generated through these resources are never used for the region, as a result of which PoK remains underdeveloped. With the possible imposition of Article 56, Islamabad gets complete control over the region. With the administrative control coming under Islamabad, the people would have very few options but to adhere to what the state tells them to do, officials also point out.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's heartbreaking to see the people of PoK suffer like this. They are Kashmiri brothers and sisters who deserve freedom and dignity. The fact that Islamabad wants to crush dissent with Article 56 shows how scared they are of democracy. Stay strong, PoK! ✊
While I sympathize with the protesters, I think India should also look at its own house. The situation in Kashmir on our side isn't perfect either. But yes, Pakistan's hypocrisy is off the charts—they talk about 'azadi' while strangling autonomy in PoK. Karma is real.
As someone from the UK, I'm glad the Kashmiri diaspora is finally raising their voices. It's not a religious issue—it's about basic human rights and self-governance. Islamabad's tactic of brute force always backfires. The world is watching.
This is so sad. The article mentions that PoK is rich in water and minerals but the people see none of it. Classic case of a colonial mindset—exploit the region, suppress the voices. Article 56 is just a legal tool to rob them of even their limited autonomy. PoK deserves real freedom.
It's interesting that Pakistan's 'offer for talks' is just a delay tactic. They've done this with India too—promise talks, then do nothing. The global diaspora is key here; when people protest in London and New York, it puts real pressure. Keep it up, everyone! 🌍
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