In the disputed territories of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, a perfect storm of economic hardships and administrative failures is pushing communities to the brink. A new report from a UK-based publication paints a grim picture of soaring prices, joblessness, hunger risks, and unreliable electricity, all worsened by Islamabad’s indifference and repressive governance.
What began as sporadic complaints has evolved into widespread mobilizations, with women and youth at the forefront. These movements reflect deep-seated frustrations from years of overlooked development needs, turning quiet suffering into vocal demands for change.
Power woes dominate daily life: despite proximity to grand dams, blackouts are routine, and bills have skyrocketed to commercial levels. PoK saw shutdowns across districts as people rejected payments amid demands for salary backlogs and restored rights. Crackdowns followed – detentions, internet shutdowns, and clashes – but failed to quell the anger.
Gilgit-Baltistan’s turmoil centers on land rights, where government seizures for ‘development’ projects leave inheritors homeless and penniless. Electricity produced here powers distant cities, leaving locals in the dark and deepening resentment over resource exploitation.
Security forces stand accused of prioritizing crackdowns over solutions, with reports of spying, threats, and missing persons. Internationally, the issue gained traction at recent UN sessions, where advocates decried protest bans. Pakistan labels agitators as puppets of outsiders, ignoring calls for accountability on bread-and-butter issues. The report warns that without addressing root causes, instability could spiral, demanding immediate intervention.