Anti-government demonstrations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) entered their 34th consecutive day on 13 July, with protesters across the region intensifying pressure on Islamabad and openly rejecting the Pakistani establishment's decades-old narrative on the occupied territory. What began as a movement for basic rights has escalated into a direct challenge to Pakistan's political and administrative control over PoK.

Key Developments on the Ground

Addressing a large gathering in Rawalakot on Sunday, protest leader Javed Iqbal delivered a pointed rebuke of Islamabad's long-standing rhetoric. 'For 78 years, they sold us the ‘Srinagar liberation’ churan (propaganda). That fake churan is now expired; Kashmiris are no longer buying it. When we ask for flour, we get bullets; when we ask for electricity, we get bullets; when we ask for water, we get bullets,' he said.

The gathering reverberated with the slogan: 'Every single child will fight to the death, but Kashmir (PoK) will not become a province.' Videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of locals — notably women — marching through streets in protest against repression, high taxes, steep power tariffs, and arbitrary arrests.

Civilian Casualties and Communications Blackout

The protests have unfolded under severe conditions. According to reports, dozens of civilians have been killed or injured by Pakistani forces since the unrest began. The region is reportedly under a strict blockade, curfew, and a near-total communications blackout, making independent verification difficult.

The civil society group Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) cited reports that two more young men were killed in firing by Pakistani forces last week, as tensions continued to mount. 'Every ruler sitting in the Muzaffarabad Assembly is responsible for this massacre — people will remember that the killers of these young men of ours are the Pakistani forces and the rulers of Muzaffarabad,' the JAAC stated in a post on X.

Long March Announced Towards Muzaffarabad

The JAAC has announced a long march towards Muzaffarabad, the administrative capital of PoK, scheduled for 15 July. The committee has urged people across the region to join in large numbers. The march is being seen as a significant escalation in the protest movement, which has so far drawn sustained participation despite the security crackdown.

Notably, the remains of those killed nearly a month ago are reportedly still being held in custody by authorities — a detail that the JAAC has highlighted as emblematic of the administration's conduct. 'On one side we are lifting the bodies of our young brothers; the remains of those killed a month ago are still kept in custody, and on the other side the rulers are turning this massacre into an election celebration by ignoring it,' the JAAC added.

Kashmiri Diaspora Protests in Washington

The demonstrations have found an international echo. Members of the Kashmiri diaspora in Washington staged a protest against alleged human rights abuses in PoK, calling for international intervention over what they described as a brutal crackdown by Pakistani authorities. Protesters carried a banner reading 'Stop state repression in Kashmir' and raised slogans condemning the situation in the region.

This is the third such diaspora demonstration in Western capitals in recent weeks, reflecting growing international attention on the unrest. With the long march set for 15 July and civilian casualties reportedly rising, the coming days are likely to prove decisive for the movement's trajectory.