The simmering unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is not a recent phenomenon but the product of decades of political marginalisation, economic neglect, and systematic reprisal by authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Fresh protests and reported fatalities have once again drawn attention to a region that Pakistan officially describes as 'free' but which critics and residents say is anything but.

Recent Violence and Deaths

In June 2025, at least 11 people were reportedly killed during agitations in Rawalakot, with more than 70 said to have been injured, according to reports. The protests escalated sharply after the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) — the primary organising body behind the demonstrations — was banned under anti-terror laws. The crackdown drew widespread condemnation from local residents and rights observers.

'We don't want charity; we want justice. This land produces electricity, but our homes remain dark,' a protestor was quoted as saying amid the recent wave of demonstrations.

Who Is the JAAC and What Are Its Demands

The JAAC, formed in 2023, has been at the forefront of protests centred on three core grievances: exorbitant electricity tariffs despite PoJK's own hydropower generation capacity, chronic wheat flour shortages compounded by inflation, and the reservation of 12 out of 53 Legislative Assembly seats for 'refugees' from Jammu and Kashmir who migrated to Pakistan in 1947 and later. Critics argue that these reserved seats are effectively filled by Pakistan-based voters — many of whom are alleged to have ties to security agencies — giving Islamabad disproportionate influence over local governance.

The Architecture of Control

Although PoJK nominally possesses its own Prime Minister, President, Legislative Assembly, Constitution, and flag, its 'Interim Constitution' explicitly mandates allegiance to Pakistan. All candidates, legislators, and officeholders must sign an oath affirming loyalty to Pakistan and support for accession. Any party or individual advocating independence or union with India is legally disqualified from contesting elections.

The PoJK Council — chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan and dominated by Pakistani officials — has historically exercised veto powers over legislation. Though the 2018 reforms reduced some of these powers, Islamabad continues to control the region's foreign affairs, defence, and currency. Analysts note this structure renders meaningful self-governance structurally impossible.

Decades of Economic Grievance

Economic frustrations in PoJK have deepened steadily, particularly since 2015, with residents citing electricity pricing, food shortages, and a near-total absence of infrastructure development as recurring flashpoints. Islamabad has periodically offered subsidies and compensation under what observers describe as a 'carrot-and-stick' approach, but residents and activists argue that core structural issues remain unaddressed. Protests have intensified over the past three years, suggesting the palliative measures have lost their effect.

Pakistan has occupied parts of Jammu and Kashmir since the first India-Pakistan war. Limited autonomy was granted to the region between 1970 and 1980, but Islamabad retained ultimate veto powers throughout. The current unrest reflects what many residents describe as the failure of that arrangement to deliver basic dignity or economic security.

What Comes Next

With the JAAC banned and protest leaders facing legal pressure, the immediate outlook for organised dissent appears constrained. However, analysts caution that suppressing the movement without addressing its underlying causes — food security, equitable electricity pricing, and genuine political representation — risks driving grievances further underground. The international community has so far largely remained silent on the situation in PoJK, even as the reported death toll from recent protests continues to attract scrutiny.