Escalating unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has persisted for 36 days, with a large gathering in Rawalakot where Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) leader Sardar Amman Khan accused Pakistan of forcibly occupying the region. Khan emphasized that PoK is not a disputed territory but an occupied one, vowing to continue the movement until victory, even if it means sacrificing lives. The demonstration resounded with anti-Pakistan slogans, affirming the protesters’ commitment to persist until achieving success.
The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) strongly denounced the killing of six civilians by Pakistani forces in PoK amid the ongoing protests. Reports indicate that additional civilians lost their lives as Pakistani security forces clashed with protesters in Rawalakot. UKPNP called for an independent international investigation into the reported killings, excessive use of force, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and other human rights violations in the region. The party urged Pakistan to cease the use of excessive force, ensure due process for detainees, and restore access to essential supplies and freedom of movement for civilians in PoK.
Protests in PoK have posed a significant challenge to Pakistan’s authority, prompting a severe crackdown by Pakistani forces resulting in numerous civilian casualties. The region remains under strict control, with reports of a blockade, curfew, and communication blackout. The UKPNP has appealed to international bodies, including the United Nations, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, to deploy an independent fact-finding mission to investigate the situation, monitor human rights violations, and ensure accountability for reported atrocities.
