The Case of Increasing Mistrust between AJK and Pakistan is a serious issue. However, there is a little heed to the crisis from the quarters that need to look into the situation through people’s lens. Although, the people of Pakistan are facing the brunt of the government’s and establishment’s policies. The case for the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is different. Technically, they have an independent status within the Pakistani governance structure. And this allows them to fight for what they believe in; without any fear of Pakistani establishment.

The current situation in Kashmir is just tip of the iceberg. The actual ground reality is much worse. The Kashmiris are annihilated; they feel frustrated with Pakistani policies. And this does not related to the economic policies alone. Pakistan’s strategic, defense and governance policies for past several years have made the Kashmiri people question whether their choice of becoming a part of Pakistan was correct?

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Protests

At present, Kashmiris are protesting over very simple demands. They are asking for lowering the prices of electricity and basic commodities. They are rightly asking for lowering the electricity prices since the electricity generation in AJK is massive. On the other hand, the electricity consumption in AJK is only 1303 GWh on annual basis compared to 114,300 GWh for entire Pakistan. Moreover, there is a continuous electricity voltage problem in the entire region. Thus, the demand of the people to get full voltage on actual rate of electricity production is fully justified.

Moreover, the Kashmiris are demanding lower rates for basic commodities. They are asking for a subsidy on wheat. Most of the Kashmiris are again justified in their demand since they have little role in the policies that are made in Pakistan. They only face the brunt of wrong economic policies for past several years. Thus, they are asking for a subsidy from their government.

Their demands were considered as legitimate and the AJK government accepted their demand to reduce electricity and flour prices. The AJK government also issued notifications for both the proposals. However, the Joint Awami Action Committee announced that it will review the notifications through legal lens to ensure that the government reduces the prices. The Committee was looking forward to celebrate the success of public movement in Muzaffarabad city. However, the things took an ugly turn once the vehicles of Pakistan Rangers entered the territory.

Kashmiris used to throw flowers on Pakistani forces. It was the first time ever that they began to pelt stones on the vehicles of Pakistan Rangers.

Pakistan Rangers Entry into the Protests

Pakistan Rangers vehicles were supposed to leave through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. However, they chose to travel through the entire region and head back from Kohala bridge. It is not known at what scale this decision was taken? By all means, it was a bad choice to take the route through an angry mob to exit a region. The people started pelting stones on the vehicles.

Resultantly, the situation was soon out of control. It was a completely bad idea to involve Pakistani forces into a very local issue of Kashmir. They were able to handle well. The protesters would have celebrated and left. However, the participation of Pakistani paramilitary forces at this juncture eliminated the wins of AJK government.

While this all was going on, the firing and shelling incidents by Pakistan Rangers further instigated the crowds. It was, as if, a foreign force had attacked the Kashmiri youth. The charged crowds were again protesting for the civilian killings.

Shujah Maqbool, a State Subject of AJK residing in Islamabad believes that whatever happened isn’t good. “I don’t think that AJK government is eligible to handle such a crisis situation. AJK Government is fully responsible for all the mess,” claims Mr. Shujah.

He further said, “It must be understood that Rangers were called in by the AJK government. And, the entire fiasco was due to the government’s inability to manage a charged crown on their own.”

The Frustrated AJK Protesters

Speaking to the TNF on current happenings, several residents claimed that it was only a circumstantial issue. They believe that the protesters were charged and frustrated with the actions of AJK government. And, the arrival of Pakistan Rangers at this moment resulted in a further instigation only.

Raja Slait ul Hassan, a local music rapper and youth activist shared that the people were joyous and celebrating at the city center when a company of Pakistan Rangers entered the city. “The people were already frustrated and the Rangers shouldn’t have entered the city at that very moment,” claims Hassan. The protesters tried to block the roads and stop them from entering the city. However, the Rangers responded with firing and the situation further escalated from here.

The Case of Increasing Mistrust between AJK and Pakistan is evident with whatever happened in Azad Jammu and Kashmir for the last few days. It also shows that use of force isn’t the right option against protesters, especially in Kashmir. In fact, Pakistan needs to adopt a completely conciliatory and damage control engagement with the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.