Geneva, Oct 3: Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is witnessing violent protests driven by widespread corruption, nepotism, and denial of basic services, said Jamil Maqsood, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP). Speaking at the sidelines of the 60th UNHRC session, Maqsood likened Pakistan to a “sinking Titanic,” asserting that PoJK residents are no longer willing to remain under its rule.
Maqsood highlighted that the local population is deprived of health, education, and employment opportunities, while youth demand a united Jammu and Kashmir and resist attempts to erode PoJK’s identity. “The youth has stood up; we will not allow Pakistan to merge or diminish our local identity. Pakistan is sinking the Titanic, and we are not ready to ride on it,” he said.
Over the past several days, violent clashes between protesters and Pakistani security forces have left at least 10 people dead, with many others critically injured. In response, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif dispatched an eight-member ministerial committee to Muzaffarabad for talks with the civil society alliance leading the agitation.
A communications blackout has been imposed in PoJK since Monday, with mobile and internet services suspended, leaving families cut off from relatives abroad.
Maqsood accused Pakistan of systematically oppressing its people across Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and PoJK. “People have realised they are not ready to live with Pakistan. Their vision is to reunite with the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He also raised concerns about militancy, warning that PoJK has become a hub for terror groups, citing a February 5 incident when Lashkar-e-Taiba paraded members of Hamas in Rawalakot. “The people are being pushed towards proxy militancy. We will not become scapegoats for Pakistan’s militancy,” Maqsood added.