11 Killed as Pakistan Forces Crack Down on Protesters in PoK; US, UK and Canada Issue Travel Advisories
New Delhi, June 8: At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured after Pakistani security forces clashed with protesters across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), triggering fresh criticism of Islamabad’s handling of political dissent in the region.
The violence erupted during protests against Pakistan’s continued control over the region’s political structure, including the allocation of assembly seats reserved for refugees settled in Pakistan. Demonstrators accused Islamabad of denying local residents genuine political representation and interfering in the affairs of the territory.
Reports said that security personnel used force to disperse crowds in several areas, including Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad, after protests turned confrontational. Local reports said civilians were among those killed, while scores of others, including security personnel, sustained injuries.
The unrest followed a controversial court ruling that upheld the constitutional protection of refugee seats in the PoK Assembly, a move opposed by several local groups who argue that the arrangement allows Pakistan to maintain influence over the region’s electoral and political processes.
Authorities had earlier banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), one of the groups spearheading the protests, and detained several activists ahead of the demonstrations. Protest leaders accused Pakistan of suppressing democratic voices and using arrests and restrictions to silence opposition.
The latest violence has once again drawn attention to allegations of political repression in PoK, where rights groups and local activists have frequently complained of restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. Critics say Islamabad exercises significant control over the region despite projecting it as a self-governing territory.
Amid the deteriorating security situation, several Western countries have cautioned their citizens. The United States and the United Kingdom have long advised travellers to exercise heightened caution in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir due to security concerns. Canada has also issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the region, citing the possibility of civil unrest, demonstrations and violent clashes.
The deadly crackdown is likely to intensify scrutiny of Pakistan’s administration of the region and raise fresh questions about political rights, governance and public dissent in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where protests over economic hardship and representation have repeatedly challenged Islamabad’s authority in recent years.
