On September 20, 2025, in the quiet city of Bern, Switzerland, Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chairman of the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) and a prominent leader from Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK), broke his silence to address what he described as a renewed wave of propaganda orchestrated by Pakistan against his party. In a video message released on YouTube, Kashmiri minced no words as he denounced the latest campaign as just another chapter in a long saga of attempts to silence those who dare to speak up for the rights of PoJK’s people.
According to ANI, Kashmiri’s condemnation was both forceful and deeply personal. He explained that since its inception, the UKPNP has faced relentless targeting due to its unwavering advocacy for self-determination and democratic rights in PoJK. This, he suggested, was no accident. Instead, it was a calculated effort to drown out voices that challenge the status quo and demand a better future for the region’s residents.
Reflecting on history, Kashmiri pointed to the tumultuous days of the 1947 partition, a period that continues to cast a long shadow over Kashmir. He specifically referenced the decisions made by Maharaja Hari Singh, the then-ruler of the princely state, arguing that the aspirations and will of PoJK’s people were never truly considered during that critical juncture. As reported by Devdiscourse, Kashmiri accused Pakistan of exploiting the region for its own strategic aims, while conveniently overlooking the consequences and hardships endured by local communities.
“Those who wear the chains must be the ones to break them,” Kashmiri declared, urging unity, awareness, and a renewed commitment among PoJK’s citizens to shape their own destiny. This stirring call was not just rhetoric—it was a reflection of the frustration felt by many in the region who believe their voices have been systematically marginalized for decades.
Kashmiri’s critique did not stop at historical grievances. He painted a stark picture of current socio-economic conditions in PoJK, highlighting a litany of challenges that have persisted for years. As both ANI and Devdiscourse noted, the region continues to grapple with a lack of access to basic healthcare, crumbling infrastructure, and declining education standards. These, Kashmiri argued, are not just minor inconveniences—they are emblematic of deeper failures in governance and a lack of genuine concern for the well-being of ordinary people.
He was particularly scathing about the way these issues are habitually overshadowed by political rhetoric and religious nationalism. According to Kashmiri, such distractions serve only to perpetuate a cycle of neglect, where real problems are ignored in favor of divisive posturing and empty promises. “The solution lies in self-accountability and political awakening among citizens of PoJK,” he insisted, making it clear that he sees the path forward as one that must be led from within the community itself, and not dictated by outside forces.
Throughout his message, Kashmiri drew on historical parallels to underscore his point. He invoked figures like Lenin, noting that propaganda has long been a favored tool of ruling classes seeking to distort facts and suppress dissenting movements. In his view, what is happening in PoJK today is simply a modern iteration of an age-old tactic: those in power using misinformation to maintain their grip, even as the ground beneath them grows increasingly unstable.
But what does this renewed propaganda actually look like on the ground? While Kashmiri did not delve into specific details about the recent campaign, his comments suggest a pattern familiar to many observers of South Asian politics. Smear campaigns, misinformation, and efforts to discredit opposition groups have long been part of the political landscape, particularly in regions marked by conflict and competing national interests.
The UKPNP, for its part, has positioned itself as a steadfast advocate for the rights of PoJK’s residents. Its leadership has consistently called for greater self-determination, democratic reforms, and a focus on issues that directly impact daily life—rather than the often abstract and inflammatory debates that dominate national discourse. As Devdiscourse put it, Kashmiri and his party have been “a long-standing target” precisely because of their unwillingness to back down in the face of adversity.
In his latest remarks, Kashmiri did not shy away from the daunting nature of the challenges ahead. He acknowledged that the struggle for a peaceful and self-determined Kashmir would not be easy, but he insisted that it was both necessary and achievable—provided that the people themselves take the lead. “Lasting change must come from within,” he asserted, emphasizing that external actors, whether governments or interest groups, cannot dictate the future of PoJK.
His vision for the region is one rooted in unity and collective action. He called on residents to move beyond the divisions sown by years of propaganda and to focus instead on building a society where everyone has access to basic necessities, opportunities for education, and the freedom to chart their own course. It’s a message that resonates with many in PoJK, where frustration with the status quo runs deep and the desire for meaningful change is palpable.
Of course, Kashmiri’s stance is not without its critics. In Pakistan, officials have often dismissed the UKPNP as a fringe group, accusing it of playing into the hands of foreign interests or undermining national unity. Supporters of the current administration argue that security concerns and historical realities necessitate a firm hand in the region, and that critics like Kashmiri are out of touch with the broader challenges facing Pakistan as a whole.
Yet, for all the political back-and-forth, the issues raised by Kashmiri—healthcare, infrastructure, education, and the right to self-determination—remain at the heart of the debate. As the world’s attention periodically turns to Kashmir, his call for self-accountability and grassroots political awakening offers a reminder that, ultimately, the future of PoJK will be shaped not just by geopolitics, but by the determination and resilience of its own people.
As the dust settles on this latest round of accusations and counter-accusations, one thing is clear: the struggle for a peaceful, self-determined, and just Kashmir is far from over. Whether or not Kashmiri’s vision will be realized remains to be seen, but his message has struck a chord among those who believe that real change can only begin when the people themselves decide to break their chains.