Azad Kashmir
The streets of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, have been gripped by days of violent protests that have tragically led to the deaths of at least eight people, including both civilians and police officers. The massive unrest, which has seen an area-wide communications blackout, is primarily fuelled by deep-seated public anger over lucrative benefits for the political class and a struggling local economy.
The Spark: Demands to End Elite Privileges
The current wave of protests, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), began on Monday, 29 September, with thousands taking to the streets to demand an end to what they call “ruling elite perks” in the poverty-stricken region.
The core of the protesters’ 38-point charter of demands centres on economic and governance reforms, specifically:
* Abolishing Elite Perks: Protesters are demanding the end of significant benefits enjoyed by senior government officials and politicians, such as free electricity, expensive government-provided vehicles, and unlimited fuel allowances.
* Economic Relief: Long-standing grievances over soaring electricity tariffs, high flour prices, and shortages in subsidised wheat supplies have propelled the movement.
* Political Reforms: The JAAC also seeks the abolition of 12 reserved seats in the regional parliament for refugees, arguing that they undermine local representative governance.
The fact that officials secure handsome perks for themselves while there is no visible improvement in governance has deeply fuelled discontent among the general populace.
Rising Toll and Communications Blackout
The demonstrations quickly escalated into violent clashes between protestors and security forces. Unconfirmed figures for the total number of casualties vary between government and protest group statements:
* Official Toll: Government authorities, through the region’s Press Information Department, confirmed that at least eight people—including three policemen and five civilians—have been killed in the clashes since the protests began.
* Protestors’ Claim: The JAAC rejected the official figures, claiming that as many as 12 of their supporters have been killed, mostly from gunshot wounds, and over 200 injured.
* Widespread Injuries: Security officials confirmed that around 172 police personnel have been injured, with at least 12 in critical condition after being struck on the head with sticks and stones.
In a move widely criticised by human rights groups, authorities have imposed a communications blackout, blocking internet and mobile phone services across the region, making it difficult for accurate news to emerge and causing panic among residents. Local media were also reportedly warned against covering the daily demonstrations.
Government Response and Negotiations
The violent unrest resulted in a complete “shutter-down and wheel-jam” strike, which paralysed daily life, with markets, schools, and transportation services all shut down.
* Dialogue Opened: Following days of deadly clashes, a high-level delegation from the Pakistani federal government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, engaged in a second round of talks with the JAAC leadership to break the impasse.
* Concessions and Deal: The government ultimately agreed to several key demands, notably announcing a substantial grant package for subsidies on flour and electricity to make them affordable for the population. They also agreed to form a judicial commission to review elite privileges and provide monetary compensation and a government job to one family member of each person killed in the violence.
* Restoration of Order: Following the agreement on Saturday, 4 October, protest leaders suspended their movement, bringing a fragile calm to the region.
The unrest, the third major mobilisation in the last two years, underscores the deepening crisis of legitimacy and representation in the region, exposing the immense gap between the privileged political elite and the economically struggling local population.
