In a dramatic escalation that has sent shockwaves across South Asia, Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) is currently gripped by one of the most intense episodes of civil unrest in its recent history. Since late September 2025, thousands of residents have poured onto the streets, led primarily by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), in an outcry against decades of neglect, broken promises, and increasingly heavy-handed tactics by the Pakistani state. The protests, which began with a clear set of local demands, have rapidly transformed into a full-blown rebellion challenging the very authority of both the military and civilian leadership in Islamabad.
According to multiple independent reports and video evidence widely shared on social media, the initial spark for the unrest was the JAAC’s push for the fulfillment of 38 longstanding demands. Chief among these were the abolition of 12 reserved assembly seats for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, the provision of subsidized flour and electricity tariffs, and the completion of overdue developmental projects. Residents of POK, despite contributing significant hydroelectric resources—most notably from the Mangla Dam—have long suffered from economic deprivation, high utility costs, and a lack of basic services. This simmering resentment, as reported by India Today and corroborated by eyewitness accounts, quickly ignited into a broader anti-state movement.
"What we witnessed for years in Kashmir, is now unfolding there—innocent lives being lost. May peace prevail…!" tweeted prominent commentator Salman Nizami on October 2, 2025, capturing the anguish felt by many in the region. Indeed, the situation has deteriorated rapidly. Security forces, including the army and paramilitary Rangers, have responded with overwhelming force. Live ammunition and tear gas have been deployed against predominantly peaceful protesters—an approach that has left at least 12 civilians dead, with five fatalities each in Muzaffarabad and Dheerkot and two in Dadyal. Hundreds more have been injured, many critically by gunfire. The violence has not been one-sided: three police personnel have also lost their lives in the chaos, highlighting the breadth and intensity of the conflict.
The Pakistani state’s response has been widely condemned as brutal and disproportionate. According to NDTV and reports from activists on the ground, authorities have imposed sweeping communication blackouts and lockdowns, shutting down mobile, internet, and landline services in an attempt to contain the unrest. This digital isolation has made it exceedingly difficult for residents to organize peacefully or for news of abuses to reach the outside world. The situation has also drawn criticism from international observers and human rights advocates, who point to a pattern of excessive force, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and the systematic suppression of free expression—often at the hands of powerful intelligence agencies.
Pakistani security forces have not only cracked down on protesters but have also targeted journalists covering the events. In a widely circulated video, police were seen forcibly entering the Islamabad Press Club to attack both journalists and POK civilian protestors. As Aditya Raj Kaul, a senior journalist, reported, "Pakistani security forces have been infamous for attacking, kidnapping and killing journalists and activists. Pal deep state facing embarrassment in PoK." Such incidents have only deepened the sense of alienation and anger among POK’s citizens, who feel abandoned by a state that has long promised protection and prosperity but delivered little more than repression.
The political breakdown has been stark. Despite multiple rounds of talks between the JAAC and representatives from Pakistan’s government and the POK administration, no resolution has been reached. Negotiations collapsed over the refusal of the Awami Action Committee to compromise on their core demands, particularly the abolition of elite privileges and reserved assembly seats. In response, Islamabad has chosen to double down on militarization, deploying thousands of additional troops from Punjab and the federal capital to restore order. The result has been a further escalation of violence, with reports of shelling in civilian areas and a mounting death toll.
Major Nadeem, a Pakistani defense analyst, openly questioned on air whether this could be the beginning of Pakistan’s POK problem unraveling. As he discussed with journalist Shiv Aroor, "Bullets fly, protests rage—PoK erupts against decades of Pakistan’s neglect. As Islamabad dines with diplomats, PoK burns in silence." This stark juxtaposition highlights the growing disconnect between the Pakistani elite and the realities faced by ordinary people in the region. While diplomatic overtures continue in Islamabad, the streets of POK are filled with anger, fear, and a sense that the social contract has been irrevocably broken.
The roots of this crisis run deep. For decades, residents of POK have complained of systemic neglect, corruption, and a lack of genuine political representation. The controversial system of reserved assembly seats for refugees living outside the region has diluted local governance and fostered widespread alienation. Economic grievances have been compounded by the fact that, despite being a major source of hydroelectric power, POK residents pay some of the highest electricity tariffs in the country. The failure to deliver on basic developmental projects has only added fuel to the fire.
As the unrest has intensified, so too have calls for outright independence from Pakistan. Many in POK now openly question whether Islamabad is capable of governing the region with justice and accountability. The massive deployment of troops and the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians have further eroded whatever legitimacy the government once had. "After surrendering in the #RepublicOfBalochistan, now the occupational forces of Pakistan's Islamabad police personnel laid down weapons and surrendered to local people of the #PoK. #PoK now must formally be declared under the rule of #Bharat," declared activist Mir Yar Baloch, though such rhetoric remains highly contentious and reflects the growing polarization within the region.
The international community has begun to take notice, with human rights organizations urging Pakistan to halt its crackdown, lift communication blockades, and engage in genuine dialogue with civic leaders. The United Nations and other multilateral bodies have yet to issue formal statements, but pressure is mounting for Islamabad to address the root causes of the unrest and ensure the safety and rights of POK’s people.
For now, the situation remains volatile. The cycle of violence and repression shows little sign of abating, and the risk of further humanitarian and political fallout is high. As one observer put it, "The crisis in POK exposes a profound failure of the Pakistani state to protect the people or govern with justice and accountability." Without meaningful reforms and a willingness to listen to the voices of ordinary citizens, the unrest in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir may well mark the beginning of a new, more turbulent chapter in the region’s history.
