Violent Anti-Government Protests in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir: Demanding Political Reform Amid Internet Blackout

Pakistan:

Violent anti-government demonstrations have engulfed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for days, resulting in nine confirmed fatalities amid an internet blackout restricting information flow.

On Monday, thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Muzaffarabad, demanding the elimination of elite political privileges such as complimentary electricity and luxury vehicles.

Authorities have implemented an internet and mobile service shutdown throughout the mountainous valley, while local media outlets have been cautioned against covering the ongoing protests.

AFP journalists observed evidence of unrest on Wednesday, including blood-stained streets, spent bullet casings, broken glass fragments, and scattered stones.

"Politicians here operate like thugs ruling over us; we want them removed along with their privileges," stated Asad Tabbasum, a 51-year-old demonstrator. "They should stand with the people."

According to an official Wednesday statement from the Azad Kashmir government, six civilians and three police officers have died since Monday.

The government reported that over 170 police personnel and 50 civilians have sustained injuries during the "violent demonstrations."

Protest organizers claim that more than 100 civilians have been wounded.

Security forces have deployed throughout Muzaffarabad in response to the protests, using tear gas against crowds that reached approximately 6,000 people at their height.

The military has not issued any statement regarding the protests nor responded to AFP's requests for comment.

Criticism of Pakistan's military crosses a red line in a country historically governed by generals who analysts believe continue to exercise real power in the South Asian nation.

'We're Here For Our Rights'

Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in its entirety, though it has remained divided between them since their independence from British colonial rule.

The Pakistani military considers the area highly sensitive following years of skirmishes and full-scale conflicts.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated to media that "a few miscreants, at the enemy's instigation, are attempting to disrupt peace and order in Azad Kashmir."

Naqvi did not specify "the enemy," although this terminology frequently refers to neighboring rival India.

"Peaceful protest is everyone's right, but taking the law into one's own hands will never be permitted," he declared.

Nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan engaged in their worst conflict in decades during a four-day clash in May.

The civil rights organization Awami Action Committee (AAC) has led the protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, formed to advocate for local rights in the predominantly rural region, resembling similar movements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

On Wednesday, markets and schools remained closed in Muzaffarabad as thousands of protesters marched past buildings with fire damage and broken windows while chanting.

AAC member and protest leader Shaukat Nawaz alleged that police had fired upon demonstrators.

"The bullets being used against us are manufactured in Pakistan for use against enemies but are now targeting us," he stated.

The government did not address these allegations.

Protesters accused authorities of journalist harassment and preventing media coverage of their demonstrations.

"Our voice has been suppressed, and beyond that, they portray us as troublemakers when we're simply advocating for our rights," said 22-year-old Akash Kazmi.

In its statement, the government claimed it had accepted "90 percent of the demands."

"We continue urging the so-called peaceful protesters to engage in dialogue with us to resolve these issues," National Assembly member Tariq Fazal said in a video statement.

The AAC, which has demanded affordable electricity and additional hospital construction, refuted claims that their demands had been met.

Nawaz expressed frustration regarding the region's limited internet access, provided exclusively by military-backed companies at premium rates.

Both protests and funerals continued on Thursday.

"Sometimes they label us traitors, sometimes Indian agents—we are neither," Nawaz declared through a microphone.

"We will persist in our struggle until we secure our rights."