Large-scale protests against the government are taking place in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK), addressing concerns about widespread inflation and political corruption.
Nasir Hussain Naqvi, an advocate and protester said, “Daily wagers here are dying due to hunger. People are committing suicide. Three rivers are flowing in Muzaffarabad, but still the residents have no drinking water. We are requesting the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Prime Minister of PoK to announce a special relief package similar to what has been announced for the people of Jammu & Kashmir”.
He added, “People are protesting against high inflation. As there has been a hike in the price of petrol, the rates of daily food items have skyrocketed”.
Pakistan has been exploiting the natural resources of PoK and in return giving all sorts of problems to the locals including no electricity, no drinking water and no employment opportunities.
Naqvi mentioned that a significant number of individuals are leaving the region due to escalating issues, while politicians are living lavish lives.
“The politicians have no conscience. The people who have elected them are dying due to hunger and they (politicians) are buying luxury cars. The poor are struggling for daily needs. We demand that the purchase of new government vehicles should be stopped and the people should be given subsidies for daily needed items”, said advocate Naqvi.
The women in the area are suffering due to rising inflation. A woman protester said, “Our life has become so problematic. If you go to buy clothes or any goods, the prices are skyrocketing. We are neither left worthy of living nor worthy of dying.
“The politicians have no conscience. The people who have elected them are dying due to hunger and they (politicians) are buying luxury cars. The poor are struggling with daily needs. We demand that the purchase of new government vehicles should be stopped and the people should be given subsidies for daily needed items”, said advocate Naqvi.
Women in the region are experiencing severe hardships because of the increasing inflation. A female protester expressed, “Our lives have become incredibly challenging. When we attempt to purchase clothing or any products, the prices have surged. We find ourselves in a situation where neither survival nor passing away seems worthwhile.”
Massive protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Tuesday led to closed markets and deserted roads. Demonstrators voiced their discontent with both the PoK government and the Pakistan government for their inability to manage inflation.
The ineffectual conduct of the local administration in Gilgit-Baltistan has compelled residents to protest on the streets due to their dissatisfaction with the administration.
Zafar Mohammad, Ex-Coordinator to Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan said, “When we talk about our rights, and then someone (authorities) says that he would threaten us with his power and authority, (I would like to tell him) it is not 1947, it is 2023! If we talk about the poor and the deprived, and the government’s corruption in development projects, and someone wants to attack our rights and thinks that he would be able to subdue our courage to protest – then they (authorities) have been highly mistaken! We will come out even stronger and lead this public movement!”
Citizens have alleged that the corrupt administration has exploited their goodwill to support leaders who align themselves with Islamabad’s authoritarian rulers.
Zafar Mohammad said, “The number of government secretaries to whom we are tired of giving applications, they would not be able to take advantage of our decency anymore. We will stay united and will protest, we will select our representatives and they will stand up front. Earlier, we had a gathering of 18000 people under the Chinar (meeting point), this time there will be more than 28000 people.”
Protests have erupted all across Gilgit Baltistan. Residents have been facing innumerable problems, including heightened inflation, load shedding, and unavailability of food and the sectarian violence against the Shia majority in Gilgit Baltistan has further disgruntled the people.
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