2 Dead, 22 Injured in Protest Against Pakistan Govt in PoK Over Denial of Rights

Thousands take to the streets in Muzaffarabad; violent clashes erupt amid growing anger over decades of political and economic neglect

Massive protests erupted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over the weekend, leaving two people dead and 22 others injured during violent clashes with security forces in Muzaffarabad.

The demonstrations — led by the Awami Action Committee (AAC) — were triggered by what locals describe as the Pakistani government’s decades-long denial of basic rights, including representation, infrastructure development, and economic support.

What Happened

On Sunday, thousands flooded the streets of Muzaffarabad, chanting slogans against the Pakistani government.
Clashes broke out between protesters and heavily armed police forces.
Videos showed:
- Protesters firing into the air
- Clashes with riot police
- Spent bullet casings allegedly fired by security forces
- Protesters standing on vehicles and waving flags

“Either deliver on rights or face the wrath of the people,” warned AAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir, calling the protest Plan A and hinting at more severe action if demands are ignored.

Region on Standstill

The protests led to a complete shutdown in several parts of PoK:

Shops and businesses closed
Public transport halted
Schools nearly empty, as students stayed away for safety
Internet access restricted by the government to curb unrest

The Awami Action Committee has issued 38 demands, one of which includes scrapping 12 PoK Assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees in Pakistan — a move locals say distorts local governance and representation.

Pakistan Govt Responds With Force

The Pakistani government has responded with:

Deployment of thousands of troops from Punjab and Islamabad
Heavily armed flag marches in towns across PoK
Internet restrictions to prevent news of the protests from spreading further

The response has drawn criticism for being authoritarian and heavy-handed, especially as protests were largely rooted in civil and democratic demands.

Backdrop: Civilian Deaths in Airstrikes Add Fuel to Fire

The unrest in PoK comes just days after another tragic incident — the Pakistani Air Force dropped laser-guided bombs on a village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 30 civilians.

The attack was reportedly aimed at terrorists but hit non-combatant areas.
The use of China-made JF-17 jets and LS-6 bombs in civilian zones has sparked widespread outrage.

Locals and analysts believe this added to the public anger already brewing in PoK, where communities have long accused Islamabad of using the region as a strategic pawn while ignoring its people.