The Shehbaz Sharif government is pulling out all the stops to resolve the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK). A ministerial delegation has been sent to PoK to mediate a resolution. Furthermore, Shehbaz Sharif himself has announced he will personally intervene in the matter and has ordered the army to take necessary actions.
Despite these government efforts, a pertinent question remains: Will the unrest in PoK be brought to an end? Let’s examine this issue in detail.
**What are the causes of the unrest in PoK?**
The Pakistan Kashmir Public Action Committee is staging protests over 38 demands. The committee is calling for the elimination of the 12 seats reserved for migrants in the PoK assembly. They are also demanding an end to the VIP culture among political leaders.
There are two primary reasons for these demands. Firstly, the PoK assembly consists of 53 seats, with 27 seats required to form a government. Consequently, the 12 reserved seats for migrants play a crucial role. These reserved seats often determine the outcome of who governs PoK.
The implementation of Pakistani government initiatives in PoK is often slow. Due to its proximity to the Indian border, PoK frequently experiences instability, and the living conditions for its residents are challenging.
**Will the unrest in PoK be resolved?**
Based on current indications, it appears unlikely. Shaukat Nawaz Mir of the Action Committee has stated that protests will persist until their demands are met. Protesters have initiated demonstrations, including displaying the deceased in the capital, Muzaffarabad.
Leaders from the migrant community have asserted that they were allocated these seats when they migrated from India during partition. They have warned that any attempt to revoke these seats will be met with further protests.
According to data from 2017, the migrant population in Pakistan-administered Kashmir is approximately 2.5 million, whereas the indigenous population is around 2.7 million. This places the Pakistani government in a precarious position.