Protests surge in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as citizens rally against soaring electricity

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Protests have erupted across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as citizens voice their discontent against exorbitant electricity bills. In response to a call by local leaders, residents from all corners of PoK have taken to the streets, demanding an end to what they perceive as an unjust burden of high power costs.

Protesters have issued a stern warning, expressing their determination to bring the entire region to a standstill if their demands are not met immediately. A protester passionately exclaimed, “As you all know, since last night, a curfew-like situation has been created by the administration in certain areas and in the city. It’s the 30th of September today, and the people are enraged due to the arrests of local leaders.”

Despite PoK’s abundance of natural resources and electricity generation, its citizens find themselves dependent on Pakistan to meet their basic energy needs. The occupied territories of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan have, for over seven decades, faced indiscriminate exploitation by Pakistan, reaping no rewards in return. Appeals and requests to the administration have consistently fallen on deaf ears, leading to a growing trail of discontent.

PoK activist, Amjad Ayub Mirza, characterised the movement against electricity bill taxes, subsidy cuts, wheat shortages, and prolonged load shedding as a “full-blown movement of civil disobedience.” Mirza highlighted, “Now since last week it has turned into a kind of rebellion from Rawalakot down to Mirpur and Muzaffarabad.”

As protests reverberate through the region, citizens demand an immediate end to what they perceive as economic exploitation. Voices resonate with urgency, calling for justice and their right to affordable electricity. Despite mounting unrest and swelling protests, the Pakistani government and its puppet administration in PoK appear unmoved and defiant. The question remains – will the cries of the people be answered, or will the unrest escalate further? (R)