People of Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) are facing the worst type of oppression. Even their small issues are not being addressed to remedy. It once again became apparent while Deputy Commissioner of occupied Poonch Rawalakot held an open court in Thorar to listen to the problems of local Kashmiris.

A local Kashmiri vocally spoke over the issues faced by the people and exposed the persecution by Islamabad imposed administration in POJK. While talking about the problems, one of the individuals stated that their forests have been encroached upon by the mafias, the burial grounds are being captured and partitioned into plots for residential blocs. To the worse, the occupying police has failed miserably in dealing with the theft cases. He said that no theft case has been solved by the police in Thorar, while there have been multiple cases with the amount as huge as Rs. 8 lakhs.

Moreover, he also raised a question on the unavailability of doctors in Thorar. He stated that despite being the sub-district headquarters, no doctor has been posted in Thorar. For quite some time, they have been demanding a doctor, but their demands are still not met. There are thousands of people living in Thorar who trusted the administration and that the administration should be ashamed of the fact that they have failed to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

No doctor, power cuts, indiscriminate tax

Taking on the DC, he said that he should be ashamed that he is using vehicles worth crores in the name of protocol while the common women and girls are forced to walk barefooted. Meanwhile, the other Kashmiris present chanted “shame! shame!”

The individual exposed the DC by saying that the DC should have come there after having posted a doctor for 24 hours service. He outrightly denied the payment of electricity bills saying that whether they provide electricity or not, no Kashmiri will pay the electricity bills.

Citing the occupying government’s tax as “gunda tax” (goon’s tax) he, on behalf of Kashmiris said that their ancestors have sacrificed their lives for Kashmir and they would never pay this “gunda tax” and warned that if the electricity supply would be cut off in the name of load shedding, the Neelam-Jhelum transmission line would pass through their dead bodies.

Exposing Pakistan’s policies of governing from above and wrong propaganda of so-called Azad Kashmir, the vocal Kashmiri man asked the DC about why an officer is always sent from Pakistan while the region also has educated and capable youth. He stated that Kashmiris don’t consider the police as theirs.

He also lambasted DC for his earlier statement that POJK is filled with terrorists. The individual claimed that Pak occupied Jammu and Kashmir is filled with people demanding their rights, who are persecuted not the terrorists. He stated that Kashmiris has the first right on the resources of the region and asked how is it sane to call the ones fighting for their rights as terrorists.

Kashmiri accepting reality

Notably, Pakistan has always tried to set a narrative that the part of Kashmir under their illegal occupation is free and is on the path of prosperity, however the fearless and righteous voice in front of a Deputy Commissioner in Pak occupied Jammu and Kashmir conspicuously defied Pakistan’s propaganda. While the people of POJK have now accepted the reality, it is only the international organisations that needs to see this reality and come out of the Pakistani policy of fake PR.

The police in Jammu is on high alert after the report of a vehicle being overpowered by three suspects who entered Jammu region.

Reportedly, the incident was reported on January 20, when the driver started his journey from a taxi stand in Anantnag to Srinagar. At the Arwani underpass on National Highway 44, three individuals boarded the car. Afterwards, the intended destination changed from Pantha Chowk to Summer Bugh Lasjan, only to eventually shift again to Tangan Bypass near Pampore.

At Tangan Bypass, all the three passengers overpowered the vehicle after the driver denied their request to move towards Jammu. The driver reported the incident to the police which in turn took no time to register a case at Nowgam Police station. Afte an hour later of passengers taking control of the car, they crossed Kaichachkoot toll plaza on the way to Srinagar.

However, the media reports based on the information from senior J&K police official state that the vehicle crossed Nashri Tunnel near Udhampur at midnight of the same day and has been untraceable since then. While the authorities are taking efforts to locate the vehicle, a high alert has been issued in the Jammu region.

Although, J&K is already on high alert considering the upcoming Republic Day, the vehicle going missing with no background of suspects has added to the alertness.

For the past thirty years, every year on 5 February, Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) and Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (POGB), observed a day of solidarity with Kashmir, referring to it as “Kashmir Day.” On this day, government offices remain closed, and both official and unofficial events are held in all major cities of Pakistan, POJK, and POGB. The Kashmiris from POJK, who were living abroad also protested against India in front of Indian embassies, portraying leaders of the freedom conference as heroes while condemning their own Indian government and military as oppressors.

One of the main reason for this was the lack of awareness among the Kashmiris of POJK and POGB. Also, the propaganda of Pakistan played a key role in keeping them alienated. In the nineties, during the ongoing conflict in Sri Nagar under the banner of jihad, the Jamaat-e-Islami, a jihadist partner of the Pakistani establishment, led by Qazi Hussain Ahmed, declared 5 February as a Black Day on the official calendar, aligning with their demands. In the nineties, without the presence of social media, the people of POJK and POGB relied on Pakistan-controlled television to understand the Kashmir conflict.

The narratives presented on controlled media portrayed Islamabad as heaven, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit as paradise, while Srinagar as hell. Over time, with the advent of social media, perceptions shifted, and common people in Pak controlled territories, began to understand that Sri Nagar was progressing more than Muzaffarabad, and Delhi was considered a better place than Islamabad. Slowly, the hollow significance of the 5th of February began to fade.

How perceptions evolved in POJK regarding 5 February

This notion became more fervent in 2023. Throughout the year, 2023 the non-governmental organization in POJK protested against electricity bills, increased wheat flour prices, taxes, and abolition of subsidies. The historical protest continued for a year. Seeing no redressal of their demands, the Joint Action Committee, in its latest meeting this month, announced a complete shutdown and wheel jam strike from Nilam to Bhimber on the 5th of February. This announcement posed a significant challenge to the Pakistani establishment. Pakistan never thought it would witness such a day. For years, on the 5th of February, people carried away with the emotions of Kashmiri Jihad, observed a Black Day against India. However, this time, Kashmiris chose to observe a Black Day against Islamabad instead of Delhi. Times are changing, and perceptions are evolving.

Apparently, the expected protest on the 5th of February is likely to resonate globally against Pakistan. Accordingly, those who have been lying to people for years will now have their mask of empathy removed, and Pakistan will be exposed to the world.

Protests are intensifying in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. People have been withholding electricity bill payments for eight months. Sit-ins are ongoing in various cities. Hatred against Pakistan is escalating. Today, the non-governmental Azadi group from Pak occupied Jammu and Kashmir is demanding facilities similar to those in Srinagar. Whether understood or not, this is Pakistan’s worst defeat.

Now, Kashmiris have realized the reality of Pakistan. The connection between Pakistan and the people of Kashmir is weakening. Those who once considered Muzaffarabad as paradise and Sri Nagar as hell are now demanding facilities similar to those in Sri Nagar for Muzaffarabad.