Crushing Dissent in PoJK

The violent clashes between protesting people lead by Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the Pakistan Rangers and Police in Rawalakot, Muzzafrabad and other towns in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), resulting in the deaths of over dozen civilians, and some police personnel, expose a disturbing reality: all is far from well in the territory under Pakistan’s control. Far from being an isolated law-and-order incident, the episode reflects the deepening alienation, frustration and anger simmering among the people of PoJK.

For years, residents of the region have grappled with political uncertainty, economic hardship, inadequate public services and a growing sense of marginalisation. Instead of addressing these genuine grievances through dialogue and responsive governance, the Pakistani authorities have increasingly relied on restrictions, bans and coercive measures. The decision to outlaw the JAAC appears to have further aggravated public resentment rather than restoring order.

The latest clashes occurred on the eve of planned demonstrations called by the JAAC. The protests were triggered not only by the ban on the organisation but also by a series of contentious developments, including the killing of a JAAC leader by security forces, internet shutdowns, electricity shortages, inflation, unemployment, allegations of resource exploitation and the denial of meaningful political participation. These are not fringe concerns; they represent issues affecting large sections of the population.

The conflicting accounts surrounding the violence further raise questions about transparency. While one source reportedly claimed that three civilians were killed and around 40 others injured, the police stated that four officers lost their lives and 23 were wounded. Such discrepancies only reinforce concerns that the full extent of the crisis may not be reaching the outside world.

What is particularly significant is that the unrest has not been confined to a handful of activists. The protests that have erupted across PoJK in recent years point to widespread public dissatisfaction. When public anger assumes the shape of broad-based mobilisation, the answer cannot be an ever-expanding security response. Crushing force may temporarily disperse crowds, but it cannot eliminate the causes that bring people to the streets.

Pakistan continues to project an image of normalcy and stability in PoJK before international audiences. However, recurring protests, confrontations and allegations of repression paint a different picture. The growing unrest suggests a widening trust deficit between the authorities and the people they govern.

Good governance is built on accountability, public participation and respect for civil liberties. Attempts to suppress dissent through bans, force and restrictions may silence voices for a time, but they do not resolve underlying grievances. The developments in PoJK serve as a reminder that lasting peace and stability can only emerge from addressing people’s legitimate concerns, not from trying to govern through fear and coercion.