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Protesting in POK for last 4 days due to inflation and rising electricity prices.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting on Monday amid the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The meeting was attended by POK PM Anwarul Haq, PML-N leader Raja Farooq Haider, Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam and many prominent politicians. The poor conditions of POK were discussed in the meeting. After this, PM Sharif has announced a package of 23 billion Pakistani rupees (718 crore Indian rupees) for POK.
Whereas in PoK, protests against rising inflation and electricity prices continue for the fourth consecutive day. On Sunday, Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee (JAAC) talks with the PoK government failed. Due to this, today the protesters are carrying out a long march under the leadership of JAAC from Rawalkot to PoK capital Muzaffarabad.
The protesters blocked the Kohala-Muzaffurabad road. This road is 40 kilometers long and connects Kohala city to Muzaffarabad. So far, more than 100 people have been seriously injured in the violent protests. Most of them are policemen. Pakistan’s paramilitary Rangers have been deployed to bring the situation under control.
There was a clash between the police and PoK’s JAAC on Saturday, May 11. One policeman died in this, while 100 were injured.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also reacted to the ongoing protests in PoK. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that “one day we will end the illegal occupation of PoK and include PoK in India.” Jaishankar, who attended a seminar in Mumbai, answered the questions of the media.
He said, “These days, a lot is going on in PoK. You must have seen some incidents happening there. The Modi government and the Parliament are very clear on this issue. Even in the Parliament, we have said that PoK is a part of India, was a part of India. , it will remain a part of India.”
‘Will not spare those who take law into their own hands’
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed concern about violent clashes. Sharif said that “Dialogue, peaceful protests and debate are the beauty of democracy. However, we will not tolerate those who are taking the law into their own hands.” After Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has also called a meeting to improve the situation in PoK, in which he has sought proposals.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has asked the POK government and protesting organization JAAC to find a solution through talks.
Public transport closed in PoK
Public transport and business centers remained closed in Muzaffarabad and Poonch divisions on Sunday. There was a partial strike in Mirpur. After the failure of talks between the POK government and JAAC, a leader of Rawalakot has said that the government is using wrong methods to stop the protests.
Counselors from different districts of Pakistan occupied Kashmir had attended this meeting. Rawalakot councilor Sardar Umar Nazir, who attended the meeting, said that he will not stop his protests with mere assurances. The protest will continue until a notification is issued regarding their demands.
Nazir accused the government of not issuing a single notification on any issue. In the name of talks, the government is only using procrastination, delay tactics, lies and fraud.
In view of the tension, Section 144 is imposed in PoK. The PoK government has banned gathering in public places, holding rallies and processions. Mobile network and internet services have been stopped in many areas like Bhimber, Bagh Town, Mirpur.
Pictures of demonstration in PoK…
According to media reports, during the demonstration people also demanded to merge PoK with India. Posters related to this were also shown.
Protestors set fire to 3 government vehicles in PoK.
Arson also took place at many places in Mirpur of PoK. During this period there was a scuffle between the police and the protesters.
Police lathicharge on protesters in PoK. Imran Khan’s PTI party shared its video.
The footage is from Mirpur, where policemen arrested several protesters after the violence. (Credit- IANS)
How protests turned violent in PoK
- Four days ago, demonstrations had started in Pok regarding the rising prices of everyday items. People were protesting peacefully. But the police present at the spot used lathicharge on the unarmed protesters. Due to which women and school children were injured. Videos of Pakistan Police also went viral.
- After the police violence, people announced more demonstrations. They took to the streets. The protesters became furious when the police again started lathicharge on them. They retaliated by attacking the police. One policeman was killed in this attack, while more than 100 people were injured.
Price of flour in Pakistan Rs 800 per kg
Amidst political instability in Pakistan, the economic condition of the country has worsened. A continuous increase in the inflation rate has been recorded here. The people of Pakistan are troubled by hunger and unemployment. The prices of daily essential goods are skyrocketing in the country. Pakistan’s GDP is likely to grow at the rate of only 2.1% in 2024.
For this reason, people had protested against rising inflation in PoK last month also. During this time, people took to the streets and raised slogans against inflation. On the other hand, regarding the poor situation in PoK, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has accepted that human rights are being violated continuously there.
