Why We Cannot Stay Silent About Azad Kashmir
Standing for Gaza and Jammu Kashmir while staying silent on Azad Kashmir makes no sense
Every 5th of February, Pakistani social media is full of posts. We write about Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, we host rallies, and we share solidarity. Same thing happens with Gaza. We talk about it, complaining about internet blackouts, state pressure, and innocent people being cut off from the rest of the world.
But right now, something serious is happening inside Azad Kashmir, and almost nobody in our online community is talking about it. Since early June, life there has been disrupted. Internet is down, roads are blocked, and people are stuck.
How can we preach freedom for others when we ignore what happens right inside our own home?
What is actually happening on the ground
Around June 5th, local authorities banned the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) under anti-terrorism laws. Right after that, police and security personnel were sent to cities like Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Mirpur, and Kotli. Containers were placed to block roads, and mobile internet was down so people could not talk or coordinate.
Why were people protesting in the first place? They had very simple demands. Lower electricity rates, fair wheat subsidies, and an end to the 12 legislative seats given to non-residents. People just want real representation from locals who actually live there.
Instead of listening to these basic demands, the response was a complete blackout. Blocking roads, shutting down mobile networks, and locking up activists does not fix problems. It just covers them up.
The double standard we need to address
When communications are shut down in Gaza or Srinagar, we rightly call it collective punishment. We make videos, write posts, and ask the international community to speak up.
So why are we quiet when the same thing happens in Azad Kashmir?
When roads get blocked and internet is shut off in Muzaffarabad to stop people from protesting, it is the exact same tactic. You cannot claim to stand for Kashmiri freedom while ignoring police action and internet bans on this side of the border.
Are we only allowed to talk about taking back the rest of Kashmir, while turning the Kashmir on our side into a silent zone?
Taxpayer money used against taxpayers
We pay taxes on everything in Pakistan. Our mobile balance, electricity bills, even daily groceries. Where is that tax money actually going right now?
It is being used to move security forces, transport heavy containers, and maintain lockdowns. Instead of using public money to give relief on electricity bills or build better roads, it is spent on suppressing the same people who paid those taxes.
When state machinery uses public money to silence public demands, that is not administration. That is just force.
A message to local and international writers
To all writers in Pakistan and around the world, it is time to look at this situation closely. It is easy to write about issues far away where you face zero pressure or risk. But honest writing means pointing out what is wrong in your own country too.
If we truly stand for human rights, we must speak up for Azad Kashmir today. Mobile internet must be restored, road blocks must be removed, and local committees need peaceful dialogue, not jail cells.
Look into the situation, write about it on Hive or elsewhere, and stand for justice everywhere, without selective bias.
All writers on this topic can send me a discord dm with post link on dlmmqb, I will LIKELY upvote it and might drop a 10 PAKX reward for posts with links/references/videos. Just make sure it's not misinformation or links/videos taken from older dates or different protests. NO REWARDS ARE GUARANTEED!
It's not the time to stay silent. It's heartwretching how weapons are being used against protestors. Protest is an integral part of democratic soul of nation. I am happy you spoke for it.
This really breaks heart in thousand pieces. You might have observed that mainstream media is not reporting it. Even if it is reporting it is being reported with biased language and rhetoric.
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Though we hate to acknowledge it, but we are rigged to the chores. We have our standards, and these standards revolve around "Us vs them" concept. We have seen Balochistan falling, literally crumbling. What we did? We remained silent. Last year, according to a report, 17 out of 20 worst cities were in Balochistan. Can you believe? A city which is full potential: gold, fossil fuels, Gwadar Port, direct linkage to CPEC. Then, we saw ex-FATA and KPK border areas turning into literal battlefields. What we did? Some social media posts, and waited for the next trend. And belive me, same is the case with Kashmir. Kashmir is/was once a heaven for us. As poet says: “Agar firdaus bar rue zamin ast; hamin ast o hamin ast o hamin ast (If there is paradise on Earth,
it is here, it is here, it is here.)" Look what we have done to the heaven. The ugliest part is the state - which is the mother of the country - is doing this. We all love to yap that "time for Khilafat", "time to revolt" etc... But then we remain silent. WE enjoyed protest in India. Though, India and Pakistan are two different stories. The power structure is different. As an example, the USA and China provides different level of protesting rights. Moreover, in Pakistan, we are not fighting for RIGHTS; we are doing all this just because we do not like this specific political party or establishment.
With all due respect, I have a bit different approach here. Kashmiris are really enjoying most of subsidies already. Federal is paying to Kashmir way more than it is generating. Punjab and Sindh, the wheat lands, have expensive wheat; while Kashmiris are enjoying subsidy. Same is the case with electricity, way cheaper than overall Pakistan. The only big throne is: 12 immigrant seats. And, here I think both parties are playing equal role. As per AJK Supreme Court, it is a legislative issue. So, one cannot demand that right from an executive. Furthermore, exluding 12 seats, rest sitting in the parliament are their own natives. Yet, they are not willing to amend the constitution. The youth is indeed with JAAC, but elderly people seek power more than what is right and wrong.
In present time, yes people have died. And state bears most of the responsibility; but the other side is not clean and clear in my side line. One of our university student has also been killed/martyred, at the same time, police officials have also died. And, being a realist, revolutions are always bloody - from British to French to modern time. That is why the symbol is "LAAL/RED".
And our government is start. Before doing all this, they described JAAC as "Proscribed". Just to save their case in the international market. And what can we expect from this internation right moments? WE saw Gaza being annihilated, then there was Iraq, Yemen, Syria and the list goes on and on...
In the end, you are really doing a great job. And personally I was escaping from this topic. I am already done with this country, maybe this world. There is shallowness and darkness, rather than chasing for the right things, we are going after the devilish ways. Apologize to the devil, as Shakespeare said: "Hell is empty, and all the devils are here." He was talking about us humans. We all share the result of this henious act by the state.
And personally, I believe the best solution out there is to - free KASHMIR. Neither side, India or Pakistan, having control over it. Let it be a country, or a buffer zone.
JANNAT BHI KIA KISI AIK INSAAN K HUI H KIA? YE TO SBKA LIA H...
(I think I yapped more than finding the words for justice :)
Security forces in our country have reportedly opened fire on protesters in Azad Kashmir (videos are currently circulating, though I cannot fully verify them yet). For context, these protests have been ongoing for years. The government previously accepted their demands, but failed to implement them.
Azad Kashmir: the protest nobody explained to you
LINK
Rawalakot Azad Kashmir Bleeds: Mainstream media is silent
LINK
Azad Kashmir in Koshur
LINK
Pakistani Authorities opened fire on peaceful protesters in Kashmir
LINK
Azad Kashmir: The Revolution is Happening
(ENGLISH BUT DATED 11th July, a lot more happened since then)
LINK