A wave of student protests has gripped Pak-occupied-Jammu and Kashmir following reports of sexual harassment and the rape of a female student, spotlighting the disturbing state of safety in educational institutions. However, the Pakistan Army-backed authorities have responded with brute force.

The unrest was sparked by reports that a student in a private college in Lahore was sexually assaulted, leading to public outrage. Instead of showing empathy, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz dismissed the incident as “fabricated news” and accused opposition groups of spreading “fake reports.” This blatant dismissal of serious allegations, without a transparent inquiry, reflects the deep-seated apathy within the establishment towards the safety of women and students.

The Progressive Students Collective (PSC) has emerged as the leading voice in the protests. Speaking at a rally, Haris Azad condemned the occupied-state’s negligence: “Incidents of harassment in educational institutions are intolerable. This culture of impunity must end”. Students in Muzaffarabad and other cities, angered by the occupied-government’s inaction, have joined the movement, amplifying their demand for justice. They have issued a deadline of October 24 for the government of Pak-occupied- Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) to act.

However, the Pak occupied-state’s response has been heavy-handed. In Rawalpindi, at least 250 protesters were arrested as police used tear gas to disperse demonstrations. Senior Superintendent of Police Hafiz Kamran Asghar declared that “violent protesters” had been detained to maintain law and order, warning that legal action would be taken against anyone defying the occupied- authority. Over 28 students were injured in clashes with college security and police forces in Lahore earlier this week.

The military-authority has resorted to draconian measures to suppress the protests. Section 144 has been imposed across Punjab, banning public gatherings, and all educational institutions have been shut down. Instead of addressing the root cause of these protests—the lack of accountability in harassment cases—the Paki machinery is focused on silencing the victims and those demanding justice.

A 16-year-old Kashmiri student, Haseeb Javed, has gone missing from a madrasa in Islamabad, raising further alarm over the abduction of residents from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) by the Pakistan Army. Haseeb hails from Naban Phalwari village in the Haveli Kahota district, and his disappearance adds to a troubling pattern of forced abductions by the Pakistan Army.

This is not an isolated incident. In 2024 alone, more than 20 Kashmiris, including well-known individuals like Raja Mudassir, have been reportedly abducted by the Pak Army. Such actions have sparked widespread protests in the region, as the people of PoJK grow increasingly disillusioned with Islamabad’s oppressive policies.

The abductions highlight the Pakistan Army’s complete disregard for the fundamental rights of PoJK residents, reinforcing the notion that they are treated as second-class citizens under the military’s control. The abduction of students, in particular, underscores the predatory tactics employed by the occupied-state to stifle dissent and maintain a stranglehold over these regions.

While the military presents itself as the guardian of the nation to the world, its actions in PoJK reveal a colonial mindset that has long been a source of resentment in the occupied regions. The targeting of Kashmiri youth—individuals like Haseeb, whose only fault is pursuing education—reflects the Army’s fear of educated voices that could challenge the Army’s narrative and demand accountability.

Protests are growing, and resentment against the military’s unchecked power is spreading beyond PoJK. These abductions could backfire, further weakening Islamabad’s grip on a region already grappling with demands for autonomy and justice.

The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Action Committee has criticized the occupied-Army state of Pak-occupied- Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) and Islamabad for their failure to address critical issues concerning electricity tariffs and wheat shortages. Despite negotiations earlier this year, the promises made to address these issues remain unfulfilled, leaving residents frustrated and further fueling discontent in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

In May 2024, after a series of long marches and protests in Rawalakot, representatives of the occupied-government and the POJK Chief Secretary promised key reforms to alleviate the hardships faced by the region’s residents. However, eight months on, the committee reports that only two demands have been partially implemented, with no tangible relief provided on other crucial matters.

The agreed-upon memorandum from the Water & Energy Resources Department promised lower electricity tariffs and the installment-based payment of arrears. It stipulated that the tariff for the first 300 units would be Rs. 10 per unit, and Rs. 15 per unit for higher consumption. However, the committee has revealed that these tariffs are not being honored, and old rates are still being imposed. This breach of agreement reflects the systemic neglect and exploitation that PoJK residents have come to expect under Pakistan’s military-administration.

Exploitation of PoJK

The military and Islamabad have historically prioritized extraction of resources over addressing the region’s basic needs. The residents of PoJK, already facing unemployment and infrastructure decay, are now forced to pay exorbitant electricity bills while essential food supplies like wheat remain scarce.

The committee has highlighted the alarming reduction in wheat allocation. Although officials announced a fixed price of Rs. 1,000 for 20 kg of wheat and Rs. 2,000 for 40 kg, inflated prices are being charged, and allocations have been slashed. The scarcity of essential items has made survival increasingly difficult, with residents accusing the food department of corruption and mismanagement.

Protests Intensify

Amid growing resentment, the Awami Action Committee has demanded immediate resolution of these issues. They are calling for:

1. An end to arbitrary electricity tariffs and a halt to harassment of citizens through inflated bills.
2. Restoration of wheat allocations and measures to curb corruption in the food distribution system, including implementing a biometric tracking system for transparency.
3. Action against corrupt officials responsible for overcharging and smuggling essential supplies.
4. Reduction in privileges for government elites and the introduction of austerity measures, such as limiting officials to one vehicle and reducing the size of the cabinet to seven ministers.

The committee has warned that failure to meet these demands will result in intensified protests on Oct 22, as residents of PoJK are no longer willing to tolerate the exploitation by Islamabad and the Pakistan Army.

Pak Army’s Neglect Fuels Discontent

The crisis in PoJK exemplifies how the Pakistan Army’s priorities lie in resource extraction and suppressing dissent, rather than addressing the needs of the people. The military, which has significant influence over both the region’s administration and its resources, continues to ignore calls for reform. Instead, the Army’s focus has been on maintaining control over PoJK through force.

The failure to address electricity and food crises is part of a broader pattern of neglect that has persisted for decades, exposing the hypocrisy of Islamabad’s claims to care for Kashmiris. The exploitation of PoJK’s people mirrors the military’s colonial mindset, where local grievances are silenced, and resources are diverted for the benefit of Pakistan’s ruling Punjabi elite.