Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), comprising Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, is a region of immense geopolitical significance, caught in the crosshairs of the India-Pakistan conflict since 1947. Spanning roughly 72,935 square kilometers, PoK is home to approximately 4.6 million people, whose lives are shaped by economic hardship, political constraints, and a complex socio-cultural landscape. This article explores the daily realities, struggles, and aspirations of PoK’s residents, drawing on available insights to paint a nuanced picture of life in this contested region.
In This Article:
Historical Context: A Region in Dispute
PoK emerged from the 1947 partition, when Pakistan occupied parts of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir following an invasion by Pashtun tribesmen and Pakistani forces. The region, divided into AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, is administered by Pakistan but claimed by India as part of its territory. Despite its nominal autonomy, PoK operates under significant Pakistani oversight, with the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan serving as a key link. This historical backdrop of conflict and contested sovereignty profoundly influences the lives of PoK’s inhabitants.
Economic Realities: Subsistence and Struggle
The economy of PoK is predominantly agrarian, with nearly 87% of households owning farm property. Residents rely on cultivating maize, wheat, forestry, and livestock, alongside cash crops like mushrooms, honey, walnuts, apples, and cherries. Small-scale industries produce textiles, carpets, and inscribed wooden items, while low-grade coal, chalk, and bauxite deposits offer limited economic potential. However, economic development remains stunted, with infrastructure lagging due to deliberate underinvestment, as some reports suggest Pakistan maintains PoK’s deprivation to use it as a base for anti-India activities.
Per capita income in PoK is significantly lower than in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, with estimates suggesting a GDP of Rs. 1.21 trillion in 2019-20 compared to Indian Kashmir’s Rs. 1.01 lakh crore in 2020-21. Unemployment is rampant, and the lack of industrial growth forces many to seek remittances from abroad, particularly from the British Mirpuri diaspora. Recent protests in 2023 and 2024, sparked by soaring electricity tariffs, wheat shortages, and inflation (17% in Pakistan), highlight the economic distress. In August 2023, thousands across Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Mirpur protested against added taxes and load-shedding, with some issuing ultimatums for state-wide strikes.
Social and Political Life: Limited Autonomy, Growing Discontent
PoK’s political structure is ostensibly self-governing, with AJK having a President, Prime Minister, and Legislative Assembly, and Gilgit-Baltistan granted limited autonomy in 2009. However, real power lies with Islamabad, and the Pakistani military exerts significant control. Political analyst Dr. Shabir Choudhry has noted that residents “cannot even complain that we are occupied,” reflecting the suppression of dissent. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and army reportedly dominate political life, stifling independent media—only Azad Kashmir Radio operates with limited freedom.
Education and literacy are bright spots, with a reported 74% literacy rate and 98% primary school enrollment for boys, though shortages of schools and colleges persist. Health infrastructure, however, is inadequate, and natural disasters, like the 2005 earthquake that killed 100,000 and displaced three million, have exacerbated vulnerabilities. Reconstruction efforts, supported by Pakistan and foreign aid, are ongoing but insufficient.
Socially, PoK is diverse, with ethnic groups like Baltees, Kashmiris, and Pathans speaking languages such as Urdu, Pashto, Kashmiri, and Balti. Yet, sectarian tensions, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan, where Shias have been marginalized, add complexity. A 2020 study by the Indo-Pak Management Institute revealed widespread dissatisfaction with governance, education, and healthcare, with many residents aspiring to leave for better opportunities.
Human Rights and Security Concerns
Life in PoK is marred by human rights challenges. Reports highlight extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, and restrictions on freedom of expression, particularly for those criticizing Pakistani control. The region’s strategic importance, bordering Afghanistan and China, has made it a hub for military infrastructure and, allegedly, terrorist training camps, with groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba operating in areas like Muzaffarabad. This militarization limits civilian freedoms and fuels insecurity.
Protests in 2024 turned violent, with clashes in Muzaffarabad resulting in one police officer’s death and over 100 injuries, mostly among security forces. Residents, including students and traders, demanded economic relief and political fairness, reflecting frustration with Islamabad’s interference. Activists at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva have raised concerns about terrorism and resource exploitation, with some advocating for PoK’s reunification with India, citing better development in Indian-administered Kashmir post-Article 370’s repeal in 2019.
Resilience and Aspirations: A Glimmer of Hope
Despite hardships, PoK’s residents display remarkable resilience. In the Neelum Valley, centenarians like 107-year-old Hafeezullah attribute their longevity to a simple mountain lifestyle, crisp air, and community bonds. The region’s stunning landscapes—snow-peaked mountains and lush valleys—support tourism, a potential economic driver if infrastructure improves. Cultural practices, like crafting and farming, sustain community identity.
Aspirations for a better future are evident. Some residents, inspired by development in Indian Kashmir, express interest in reunification, as noted in X posts from 2024. Others seek greater autonomy or integration with Pakistan but demand equitable treatment. The diaspora in the UK and elsewhere amplifies these voices, advocating for human rights and economic reforms.
Life in PoK is a tapestry of struggle and resilience, woven with economic deprivation, political suppression, and cultural richness. Residents navigate daily challenges under the shadow of geopolitical tensions, yet their aspirations for dignity, development, and self-determination endure. As unrest grows and voices amplify, the international community must heed PoK’s plight, recognizing its people not as pawns in a territorial dispute but as individuals deserving of a better quality of life. For now, PoK remains a region where hope persists amid adversity, waiting for a resolution to its complex challenges.
-By Manoj H
