‘People Are Starving’: PoK Protesters Accuse Pakistan Of Failing Them And Crushing Dissent

Last Updated:June 24, 2026, 15:06 IST

Residents of PoK say Pakistan has answered demands for basic rights with bullets, neglect and silence, as the protest shows no sign of easing.

A large protest led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is underway in Rawalakot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with demonstrators demanding jobs, better healthcare and education, reforms in the local administration and the restoration of what they describe as their fundamental rights.

Protesters have vowed to continue the sit-in and mount a “long and strong resistance" until the authorities act on their charter of demands. They have also appealed to the United Nations, Amnesty International, international media and overseas Kashmiris to draw global attention to the situation in the region.

The agitation comes amid serious allegations of state violence. Local residents claimed that unarmed civilians had been fired upon with live ammunition and that the bodies of some of those killed had been taken away by the authorities.

“Unarmed people are being targeted with straight bullets and have been martyred," a local Kashmiri said at the gathering.

“They have even taken away the bodies of our young men," the resident alleged.

What Are The Protesters Demanding?

JAAC core members said their charter sought the restoration of fundamental human rights available under the prevailing laws.

“Our Charter of Demand states that our fundamental human rights under the current prevailing laws must be restored," a committee member said.

The protesters are also seeking employment opportunities, improved healthcare and education facilities, and reforms in the local courts and bureaucracy.

Among their financial demands is the granting of scheduled bank status to AJK Bank, which operates in the region.

“We are demanding that the ‘AJK Bank’ in Kashmir be made a scheduled bank," advocate Saad Ansari said while addressing the gathering.

A scheduled bank is generally subject to greater regulatory oversight and is able to access facilities provided by the central banking system. Protesters argue that the change would strengthen local financial institutions and improve access to banking services.

‘Taxpayers Must Hold Officials Accountable’

Ansari said officials and elected representatives must be held answerable by the people whose taxes fund the administration.

“The people who pay taxes to run the local DC, SP and Commissioner should also hold them accountable," he said, referring to the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and divisional Commissioner.

He also criticised members of the local Assembly, accusing them of failing to fulfil their responsibilities while families struggled to afford basic necessities.

“The people sitting in the Assembly, who took votes, are failing to fulfil their responsibilities while people here are starving for two square meals a day," Ansari said.

Appeal To UN And Rights Organisations

The protest leaders urged international organisations and media outlets to visit the region and examine the situation independently.

“The time has come today. We have sat here with patience, courage and resolve," Ansari said.

He called upon the global community, the United Nations, Amnesty International, other human rights organisations and Kashmiris living overseas to raise the protesters’ concerns before foreign parliaments and assemblies.

“Go before all those parliaments and assemblies and tell them what has been done to our people," he said.

“Let the world come here, let the United Nations come, let Amnesty International come, let the international media come, and let them see and showcase these innocent faces," Ansari added.

He also urged media organisations to broadcast images of the gathering, saying wider coverage was necessary to ensure that the protesters’ grievances were not ignored.

‘Hatred Breeds Revenge’

Ansari warned Pakistan’s rulers against allowing the confrontation to deepen, saying political egos should be set aside to create conditions for dialogue.

“Send this message to the rulers of Pakistan that hatred breeds revenge," he said.

“The people of Pakistan must understand that the egos of two or three individuals need to be set aside, and a new phase must be initiated among the people so that a message of peace goes out to the world," he added.

Recalling a meeting with Pakistani leaders in Muzaffarabad on May 30, Ansari said the protesters had previously offered what they considered a viable solution to the crisis.

“They asked us, ‘Can you give us a viable solution that strengthens Pakistan’s case?’ We gave them the same solution back then, and we are giving the exact same solution today," he said.

Ansari maintained that the protesters were not seeking confrontation with Pakistan but would not surrender their rights.

“Kashmiris will never let Pakistan fall, but we will neither compromise on our rights nor step back under any circumstances," he said.

About the Author

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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