Pakistan Losing Grip Over POJK. Protests Expose Growing Discontent

The region of Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) has erupted in widespread protests, reflecting the population’s long-simmering frustrations over political neglect, economic exploitation, and Islamabad’s authoritarian control. Sparked by a controversial Presidential Ordinance 2024, these protests have transformed into a broader movement for autonomy, resource control, and civil liberties, signalling a serious challenge to Pakistan’s governance over the region.

The Trigger: Presidential Ordinance and Violence in Kotli

On November 21, unrest exploded after the Pakistani government enacted the controversial Presidential Ordinance 2024, criminalizing unauthorized public gatherings with penalties of up to seven years imprisonment. The heavy-handed move led to violent clashes in Kotli, where police resorted to tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators, leaving several injured.

The ordinance was widely perceived as an attempt to suppress dissent and stifle voices demanding justice. The All Parties Coordination Committee (APCC) responded swiftly with a 16-point Charter of Demands, including the repeal of the ordinance, restoration of civil liberties, and the release of detained activists.

December Strikes: A Region United

Tensions escalated on December 5, when the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) organized a region-wide wheel-jam and shutter-down strike, bringing life in cities like Muzaffarabad to a complete halt. Shops, educational institutions, and public transport were shut down as protestors accused Islamabad of exploiting POJK’s natural resources, particularly hydropower revenues from the Mangla Dam, while neglecting infrastructure and local development.

“These protests have awakened the youth and empowered them to demand their rights,” said Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a leader of JKJAAC, underscoring the growing unity among residents in the face of Islamabad’s indifference.

The strikes were accompanied by a temporary reprieve when the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Supreme Court suspended the ordinance’s implementation. However, this judicial relief was not enough to quell public anger, with protest leaders demanding a formal repeal and broader reforms.

The Long March and Government Paralysis

With negotiations failing to achieve a resolution, protest leaders announced a series of long marches toward strategic entry points such as Kohala, Azad Pattan, and Tain Dhalkot on December 7. Addressing a massive crowd at Lal Chowk, Mir criticized Islamabad’s refusal to listen to the people.

“The government mistakenly believes the people are tired. But we are more united and determined than ever,” Mir declared.

POJK Information Minister Pir Mazhar Saeed dismissed the protesters’ demands as “inflexible,” warning that roadblocks harmed ordinary citizens, including students and patients. Protest leaders, however, blamed the government for “deliberate provocation” and for exacerbating the situation with repressive measures.

Government Backtracks: Ordinance Revoked

Under mounting public pressure and sustained agitation, the POJK President Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry announced the revocation of the Presidential Ordinance on December 8. The decision marked a significant symbolic victory for the protesters. Chaudhry also ordered the release of all detained activists and promised immediate relief measures.

However, the revocation of the ordinance did not end the protests. The APCC and JKJAAC, emboldened by their success, set a December 9 deadline for Islamabad to address their broader demands, including:

• Local control over hydropower revenues.
• Restoration of flour subsidies and improvement of basic infrastructure.
• Compensation for injured protesters.
• Immediate focus on repairing roads and addressing the power disruptions caused by dam projects.

Broader Demands: A Fight for Justice and Autonomy

The protests in POJK go beyond the repeal of a single ordinance. They reflect decades of grievances, including economic exploitation, lack of development, and absence of genuine autonomy. Islamabad’s failure to channel hydropower revenues into the region’s growth has particularly fueled resentment.

“This is just the beginning. We will continue our fight until justice is delivered,” declared Mir, signaling the growing determination of POJK’s citizens to assert their rights.

The movement highlights a critical shift: the youth and civil society of POJK are no longer willing to remain silent. What started as a protest against a single ordinance has evolved into a broader demand for political empowerment, economic justice, and accountability.

Islamabad’s Diminishing Grip

The protests have exposed Islamabad’s precarious hold over POJK. The revocation of the ordinance, while a tactical retreat, has emboldened activists and citizens, raising questions about the government’s ability to manage growing discontent. The unity displayed by the people of POJK—from strikes to long marches—shows that the region’s frustration has reached a breaking point.

While Islamabad may have temporarily defused the crisis, the underlying grievances remain unresolved. Without addressing the demands for resource control, improved infrastructure, and economic reforms, Pakistan risks further alienating the people of POJK.

In the words of a protester, “We are no longer afraid. This fight is about our rights, our resources, and our future.”

Pakistan’s grip over POJK is slipping, and unless meaningful reforms are implemented, the protests may mark the beginning of a more significant political and social reckoning in the region.

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