"A Witch Killing Own People": How PoK Protest Leader's Fiery Speech Challenges Pakistan's Control

Civilian protests have erupted across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a senior leader of the Awami Action Committee (AAC), delivered a passionate speech comparing the Pakistan Army and government to "a witch bent on killing people." He accused them of oppressing the very citizens they claim to represent and declared that the so-called 'Azad Kashmir' is not truly free but rather constrained by decades of exploitation and subjugation.

Mir's scathing criticism of Islamabad and Rawalpindi comes amid escalating protests throughout PoK, with civilians demanding fundamental rights, justice, and an end to what they characterize as systematic oppression. Addressing thousands of demonstrators, he emphasized, "Our struggle is not against an individual, but against an entire system. This is the people's struggle, this is your struggle, and this is the struggle of all of us. Together, we will raise our voice against this system."

These remarks were made on the third day of an indefinite strike and protest by civil society in PoJK, during which Pakistani forces reportedly killed at least 12 civilians and injured over 200. The violence also resulted in the deaths of three policemen from firing by Pakistani Rangers and Islamabad Police, with nine others sustaining injuries.

The AAC leader accused Pakistan's leadership of committing the very atrocities they attribute to others. Referencing Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's controversial comments labeling Hindus as 'kaafir' before the Pahalgam attack, Mir stated: "They accuse India's Hindus of atrocities while their own hands are drenched in the blood of Kashmiris."

He further alleged that authorities are violently suppressing dissenting voices, censoring local media, and treating protesters as enemies. "Our demand is clear - justice and the rights of the people," Mir asserted. "Until we achieve this, we will not step back."

What initially began as demonstrations against exorbitant electricity bills and food shortages has evolved into a comprehensive movement directly challenging Pakistan's government and military establishment. Protesters allege decades of neglect, corruption, and denial of political rights by authorities.

Earlier reports indicated that Pakistani forces fired upon crowds in Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Poonch, and other PoK regions, resulting in at least a dozen fatalities and hundreds of injuries, marking one of the most severe crackdowns in recent history. Rather than quelling opposition, this bloodshed has intensified public outrage and strengthened demands for accountability.

Analysts suggest that the magnitude and rhetoric of these protests represent a historic shift. For the first time in decades, slogans in PoK are directly targeting Islamabad and the military establishment, dismantling the illusion of 'Azad Kashmir'. "This struggle will last till our last breath," Mir vowed. "We will not be silenced. The people of PoK will not bow down to oppression anymore."

The 'Long March' previously announced by the Awami Action Committee is scheduled to continue on Thursday, even as Pakistani forces consider further action. Internet and communication restrictions persist throughout the region, and Pakistani media coverage of the situation remains limited.

As demonstrations spread, Pakistan's government and military face an unprecedented challenge from within a territory they claim to protect but where residents increasingly identify them as oppressors.