Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and are demanding for merger with India. Day-to-day activities and business remained halted as the clashes turned violent in PoKs capital Muzaffarabad on Saturday. According to media reports, a police officer has died in the violent protests. More than a hundred people are said to be injured. This protest is taking place in PoK under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Strikes were being called across multiple parts of PoK such as Samahni, Sehansa, Mirpur, Rawalkot, Khuiratta, Tattapani, and Hattian Bala. Actually, demonstrations often take place in PoK against the Pakistani government. But this time these demonstrations turned into violence. According to local media, mobile and internet services have been stopped in different parts of PoK. Today is the fifth day of strike in PoK. The protesters have accused the government of procrastination. The situation in PoK is still said to be tense. At present, the administration has banned gatherings, rallies and processions in all the districts of PoK. Section 144 has also been implemented.But why they are protesting Local leaders of PoK have accused the Pakistan government of discrimination. He has also claimed to militarize PoK. Last week, PoK activist Amjad Ayub Mirza had said that people are angry over issues like inflation, unemployment, ending subsidy on wheat and flour, taxes and electricity.President Asif Ali Zardari said that the demands of the people of PoK will be resolved according to the law. At the same time, Pakistan Finance Minister Abdul Majeed Khan has claimed that the demands of the Action Committee were accepted and an agreement was also reached. Under the agreement, the government had agreed to take the rates of subsidy on flour and electricity tariff to the level of 2022. But later the Action Committee backed out from this agreement.The issue of electricity in PoK has been issue for many years. There was a big demonstration regarding this in PoK in February itself. People living in PoK claim that the rich and powerful people get electricity 24 hours a day, while the poor people have power cuts for 18-20 hours. Activists here claim that despite the reduction in hours, one has to pay huge electricity bills.Factors behind violent clashes in PoKElectricity: 20% of Pakistans electricity is generated from Mangla Dam in PoK. Despite this, PoK gets only 30% of the electricity it needs. A large part of it goes to the Punjab province of Pakistan.Infrastructure: The infrastructure in PoK is also weak. In 70 years, there are neither roads, nor bridges nor proper schools and hospitals. It is said that whatever infrastructure is built in PoK, it is used by the Pakistani Army.Inflation: Although inflation is prevalent all over Pakistan, its impact is more visible in PoK. It is claimed that the people here do not get any relief from the government. Subsidy is not given even on essential commodities like flour. One of the biggest demands of the people here is subsidy on flour.Ignoring the locals: For Pakistan, POK is just a piece of land from where it fights against India. Despite being rich in natural resources, PoK does not get its right share. Not only this, PoK has also become a big destination for terrorists. People here do not even get any compensation if they are injured or killed in terrorist activities.Local Government: Pakistan calls PoK as Azad Kashmir. It also has its own Prime Minister and President. Chaudhary Anwarul Haq is the Prime Minister here. PoK also has an assembly with 53 seats. But there are allegations of rigging right from the Assembly elections to the Prime Minister elections. The people of PoK call the current PM Anwarul Haq a puppet of the Pakistani government.
