Pakistan's crackdown in PoK revives focus on territory's legal limbo, economic woes

New Delhi: The recent crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has renewed focus on the territory's legal status and the economic challenges facing one of South Asia's least-developed regions.

PoK is not a province of Pakistan and does not receive a share of federal revenues under Article 161 of Pakistan's Constitution.

The so-called Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) under PoK is a self-governing territory that is not a formal province of Pakistan. It is not represented in Pakistan's federal parliament and is governed under its own interim constitution, while remaining heavily dependent on Islamabad. The so-called constitution of PoK is controlled by Islamabad. The relationship between Pakistan's federal government, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is exploitative in nature, according to a Pakistan affairs expert. Pakistan's National Assembly has no separate seats for AJK or GB. GB (part of PoK) continues to be administered through executive orders. Although local assemblies exist, they have limited powers, and residents have no role in national decision-making.


PoK's unresolved legal status has limited economic opportunities and contributed to prolonged hardship. It faces high unemployment, severe financial stress and heavy dependence on shrinking federal subsidies from Islamabad. Public discontent has grown over rising inflation, higher electricity tariffs and the lack of local control over natural resources.

Despite generating electricity through projects such as the Mangla Dam, PoK continues to face frequent power cuts. Much of the electricity generated in the region is supplied to other parts of Pakistan, while residents contend with blackouts and high power bills.