*This is a developing story

You may have heard about protests going on in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, officially known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir. But what is actually happening there?

Since the 7th of June, protests have erupted in the colloquially named AJK. These have been primarily organised by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) (which the Pakistani government banned on 5th June under the Anti-Terrorism Act). They first presented to the Government of Azad Kashmir a 38-point charter with demands such as a decrease in electricity costs and subsidised food prices to match the neighbouring region of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The group also opposes the reservation of 12 seats for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir, who now reside in Pakistan, claiming that this allows outsiders to influence Azad Kashmir’s politics. However, the Supreme Court of Azad Kashmir argues that the seats are constitutionally protected. Legislation from the 1970s allocated these seats to refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir so that they could still have a say in the region’s governance, although many settled in Pakistan with the intention to return to their homes if the dispute over the region was resolved. However, many of the people for whom the seats are reserved do not actually reside within Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which essentially prevents locals from contesting the seats. These seats sustain the Pakistani government’s stance that the state of Kashmir is still internationally disputed, and giving them up would weaken their position in a standoff against India, which has triggered multiple wars since the Partition.

In the run-up to the phased elections for the AJK Legislative Assembly, the JKJAAC rejected the process and called for a boycott, which other parties such as PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf) took part in. Demonstrations have been widespread across the state, with one of the most significant being during the initial phase of the election, when thousands of supporters of the organisation marched during polling in the Mirpur phase of the election. Violence erupted, with reports of 30 people being killed.

Since the ongoing conflict, internet access has been heavily restricted, with many locals having to travel far out of Kashmir or to cities in Pakistan just to get wifi. Media has also been heavily restricted in numerous ways. Many journalists were called to court for their reporting on the region, under a law criminalising ‘false and fake information,’ with rules later being introduced so that journalists could only report from Pakistan’s three key cities: Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. 

Journalists working for foreign media outlets were ordered to leave Kashmir. Several have also been detained, such as Razi Tahir and Muhammad Saif, who were taken from Islamabad to an unknown location by people wearing police uniforms on August 1. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for their release, with Afghanistan-Pakistan representative Waliullah Rahmani saying, “The disappearance of Razi Tahir and Muhammad Saif appears to be part of an escalating effort to silence independent reporting on Kashmir amid severe press freedom violations in the region. Pakistani authorities must immediately disclose the journalists’ whereabouts, ensure their due-process rights, and release them unconditionally.” International outlets similarly faced restrictions. The Al Jazeera website was made inaccessible after it reported on the second phase of the election.

However, on the 28th of August, Iftikhar Gilani was sworn in as the new Prime Minister in a ceremony in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir. Internet was restored to Mirpur on the 1st of September, as part of a phased restoration. Only Rawalakot and Sudhanoti districts will not have internet access restored, although no reason has been given as to why, as reported on Dawn.

What is Kashmir?

Kashmir has long been a historically significant region, tracing back to Partition.

At midnight on the 14th/15th of August 1947, the British rule of India formally came to an end with the Indian Independence Act, and two countries were born: Pakistan and India. However, Kashmir, at the time a princely state governed by Maharaja Hari Singh, wanted to remain independent, attempting to delay either new nation from taking control. But in late 1947, the first war for control of the region began.

When Pakistani militias invaded Kashmir and took control of certain parts of the princely state, Singh sought aid from India, but this was short-lived. He was forced to sign the Instrument of Accession, agreeing to yield the state to India to receive their military aid. This war only came to an end in 1949, when the UN mediated a ceasefire after passing Resolution 47, increasing the commission to five members and sending them to the region to help the governments restore peace. This was done in three steps: first, Pakistan was asked to ensure the withdrawal of the tribesmen and nationals to end fighting; second, India was asked to decrease its forces; and lastly, India was asked to invite all the major political parties to be part of the state government at a ministerial level. The Line of Control was established, which split Kashmir into two parts between the countries. Subsequent wars followed, and today the region is split into three: with Pakistan controlling around 35%, India 48% and China 17%.

Both Pakistan and India claim Kashmir as part of their national identity, and Pakistan also claims it due to its 60% Muslim majority. However, it is also due to control of vital water resources. The Indus River, which travels through all three nations, is a key component of the issue, as it feeds and supports most of the Pakistani population.

The Indus Water Treaty, in effect since 1960, divided how much water from the river is available for both India and Pakistan, with the former receiving nearly 33 million acre-feet, and the latter receiving 177 million. This treaty has been used as a means of control, such as in 2025 after the Pahaglam attacks in India administered Kashmir, where 26 were killed, India suspended the treaty, stopping the water flowing and later also carrying out reservoir flushing, without notifying Pakistan, in violation of the treaty.

Ongoing disputes like this strip autonomy from Kashmiris, who are often left in the middle but not able to have their own say, which further incentivises many to call for self-determination of the state.

Since the Partition, Kashmir has been subjected to conflict and disarray as many seek to control it. Kashmiris are used to protest and are used to occupation, so it makes one wonder: how much more can the region take? Will Kashmir ever be its own nation, not separated into three, but a wholly autonomous, united country, from the rivers of Neelum Valley to the rocky terrain of K2?

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References:

• Protest group says 30 dead in Pakistan-administered Kashmir vote unrest
• Why have so many people died in the run-up to an election in Pakistan-administered Kashmir?
• Pakistani forces accused of killing civilians as Azad Kashmir elections descend into bloodshed
• What’s driving the rising unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir?