PoK's 'Azadi' protests turn Pakistan's Kashmir narrative on its head

The duplicity of the Pakistani establishment's Kashmir policy of treating both sides of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir with different yardsticks has been badly exposed, both domestically and internationally, after it tried to brutally suppress a peaceful agitation against Pakistan's forcible occupation of 'Azad Kashmir'. People there have been protesting the undermining of democracy by the Pakistan army and its intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), through electoral malpractices. It was no different this time.

Notwithstanding the very low voter turnout because of the boycott call given by 'Azad Kashmir' Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the first phase of assembly elections was held on July 27 on 13 seats of Mirpur division. The ruling party at the federal level, Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), had an early lead with nine seats followed by Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) getting four. The next two rounds are scheduled for August 2 and 10.

It is believed that in the distribution of the spoils, the Pakistani establishment had decided to give the reins of 'Azad Kashmir' to PML-N after handing over Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly to PPP. That is why Bilawal Bhutto, chairman, PPP, meekly registered his protest at the alleged rigging in the election. On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif announced that he would like to become the prime minister of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), if his party, PML-N, wins the elections.


Meanwhile, undeterred by the brutalities unleashed by Pakistani security forces on unarmed protesters in which 33 of them died in just three days, the 'Azad Kashmir' JAAC continued its march to Muzaffarabad that began on July 27 from Rawalakot and Mirpur with its 38-point charter of demands. Since the agitation began on June 5, about 60-70 protesters have lost their lives in firing by the 'Azad Kashmir' police, Punjab Rangers and Federal Constabulary.

Slogans like "hum kya chahte azadi, leke rahenge azadi" were raised during the protests and the march to Muzaffarabad make it clear that JAAC has support from "nationalist" elements, including remnants of pro-Independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front. These people have been deliberately excluded from the electoral process after changes were made in the constitution of 'Azad Kashmir' in 1974.

Amid internet shutdown, blackout of news in the national mainstream media and lack of authentic information by the 'Azad Kashmir' government, local and international media is largely relying on JAAC for the sequence of events and casualties.

All counter measures adopted by the Pakistan government are proving to be ineffective despite describing the banned JAAC as Indian stooges. Pakistan's defence minister Khwaja Asif has been at the forefront in doing so.

The statement by Asif is a well thought-out strategy to blame India for the protests. But the crucial question is having blamed India, will Pakistan army indulge in some misadventure in Jammu and Kashmir to pacify anger in the country? There is always such a possibility given the situation and loss of domestic credibility of Pakistan army. However, the biggest factor would be as to how the Americans will view such escalation.

Surprisingly, the Pakistan army has not been able to use its proxies in POK for neutralising the agitation. The elements associated with All Parties Hurriyat Conference (POK chapter) and 'United Jehad Council' have gone silent. Even Lashkar-e-Tayyaba may be averse to play the ISI game fearing recruitment problems in future, as the whole narrative of alleged Indian atrocities has fallen flat. That is why leaders of Kashmiri terror groups like Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin are hiding somewhere.

The protests have punctured Pakistan's "principled" stand of supporting the right to self-determination for the people of J&K as per the UN resolutions of 1948-49. The protesters are exactly demanding the same and it is being denied.

The fact remains that "pro-azadi" slogans that were music to the ears of Pakistani establishment, when raised in Srinagar, are driving it mad now. Similarly, Pakistan, that always accused the Indian government of manipulating the electoral process to instal a "puppet" regime in J&K, now finds it difficult to explain the rigging in every election held there.

A close look at the demands charter of JAAC reflects the resentment of masses against the elite capture in the country, including POK. It has been building up for decades and unlikely to change in the near future. The protests, even if they get suppressed now, will erupt later in an unpredictable and aggravated manner.

The writer is a former Intelligence Bureau officer who served in Pakistan