On October 26, 2025, the streets of London saw a rare outpouring of frustration and unity as members of the Kashmiri diaspora gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission. Their aim? To shine a glaring spotlight on what they describe as decades of suffering, neglect, and authoritarian rule in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The protest, which included a hunger strike, was sparked by a recent and violent crackdown by Pakistani security forces against Kashmiris in PoK who had dared to demand basic rights. According to Asian Lite, a UK-based newspaper for British Asians, the demonstration was marked by impassioned speeches, crowded halls, and a sense that the grievances of PoK residents had finally found a global stage.
It wasn’t just in London that the anger boiled over. Across the UK, Pakistani diaspora from PoK staged their own protests, even going so far as to stop the cars of Pakistani diplomats and loudly voice their opposition in the streets. London-based journalist Abdul Rehman Khan captured the atmosphere in a Facebook post, writing, "Kashmiris! You are not alone; this atrocity must be taken into account. A large number of Kashmiris participated in Sheffield, UK, in favour of the Public Action Committee. The hall became crowded, and there was a large number outside too." The message was clear: the diaspora would not turn a blind eye to what they see as systematic oppression back home.
But what’s driving this surge in activism and outrage? According to Jamil Maqsood, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), the answer lies in the daily realities faced by Kashmiris in PoK. "It is rampant corruption, liking and disliking, nepotism, and the fashion they have imposed on us. The constitutional restraints have actually ignited the local population," Maqsood told Asian Lite. He painted a bleak picture of deprivation, with Kashmiris lacking access to basic health care, education, development, and jobs. The frustration, he argued, is no longer simmering—it’s at a rolling boil.
Maqsood didn’t mince words about the broader political situation, either. "Pakistan is sinking the Titanic, and we are not ready to ride on it," he declared, summing up the growing sense of alienation many Kashmiris feel toward Islamabad. This sentiment was echoed by Dr Yasin Rehman, a London-based Kashmiri political activist, who accused Pakistani leaders of "plundering resources from the PoK for the past 80 years" while prioritizing their own interests over the welfare of local residents. The accusations are harsh, but for many in the diaspora, they ring true.
The sense of cultural and ethnic dissonance is another key factor. Many Kashmiris argue that their identity does not align with the Islamic ideology promoted by Islamabad, and that attempts to erode their unique heritage have only deepened the divide. UK-based human rights campaigner Reiss Haidar put it bluntly: the people of PoK "want to break free from Pakistan since they are suffering at the hands of Pakistani government and army." The desire for autonomy—and even outright independence—is no longer a fringe idea, but a rallying cry for many.
As the protests raged abroad, signs of resistance and innovation have begun to emerge within the Kashmiri community itself. Scotland-based activist Amjad Ayub Mirza announced plans to form a government-in-exile, citing growing "brutalities in PoK" as the catalyst. "Hundreds of women have announced that they will support this government. Several youths working in the Middle East, Europe, along with several political parties of the diaspora, have gotten in touch with us," Mirza told Asian Lite. The idea has gained traction, with support pouring in from both women and young people scattered across the globe. For some, it’s a bold step towards reclaiming agency; for others, a necessary response to what they see as Islamabad’s intransigence.
The protests and political organizing are not happening in a vacuum. They come at a time when authorities in India have been ramping up efforts to disrupt terrorist financing and logistics networks that operate across the border from PoK. On the same day as the London protests, Jammu and Kashmir police announced the attachment of immovable property worth nearly Rs 70 lakh belonging to Mohammed Jahangir, a terrorism accused from Kalaban village in Jammu’s Poonch district who is believed to be living in PoK. According to police statements reported by multiple outlets, over two acres of land were identified and attached under Jahangir’s name as part of an intensified campaign to choke off resources for cross-border militant groups.
This move is just the latest in a series of similar operations. On August 30, police seized assets belonging to Mohammed Azam, a Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen handler implicated in multiple terrorism-related cases. Earlier in the summer, property belonging to Mohammad Shafiq of Kadwah—currently under judicial custody for terrorism-linked offences—was also attached. And in May, authorities took action against Mohammad Riyaz, a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative who crossed into Pakistan and now coordinates as a handler, and who remains wanted in several investigations. Each of these cases highlights the ongoing struggle to disrupt the financial and logistical lifelines that sustain militant activity in the region.
For many in the Kashmiri diaspora, these police actions are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they see them as necessary to curb violence and bring stability to a region long plagued by unrest. On the other, they argue that the root causes of the conflict—systematic deprivation, lack of representation, and what they call "territorial manipulations" by Pakistan—must be addressed if there is to be any lasting peace. "Pakistan is a rogue state. It has a history of oppressing people. The people are pushed towards proxy militancy. We are not ready to become scapegoats for Pakistan’s militancy," Maqsood told Asian Lite, reflecting a widespread sentiment that ordinary Kashmiris are caught in the crossfire of larger geopolitical games.
The protests in London and beyond have also raised uncomfortable questions for Pakistani authorities. How long can Islamabad ignore the voices of its own diaspora? What will be the long-term impact of a government-in-exile, if it comes to fruition? And perhaps most importantly, can the grievances of Kashmiris in PoK be addressed through dialogue and reform, or has the window for reconciliation already closed?
As the world watches, the Kashmiri diaspora’s message is unmistakable: they will not be silenced, and their struggle for dignity, rights, and recognition is far from over. Whether through protest, political innovation, or international advocacy, they are determined to keep the spotlight on PoK—no matter how uncomfortable that may be for those in power.