Widespread Disruption in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir
For several weeks, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, officially known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), has been grappling with significant disruptions, particularly in the Poonch Division. These challenges stem from ongoing protests, strikes, and extensive mobile and internet service suspensions. The situation has profoundly impacted daily life, leaving many residents in a state of uncertainty and hardship, as they navigate critical issues ranging from medical emergencies to economic stagnation and educational setbacks.
A Medical Emergency Amidst Fuel Scarcity
Zaheer Iqbal's harrowing experience illustrates the severe impact of the current conditions. In mid-June, his elder brother suffered a medical emergency in their remote village of Keri Kot, located in the Poonch Division. Lacking an ambulance service, Iqbal, his sons, and other relatives resorted to carrying his brother on a makeshift bed for a considerable distance to reach the nearest road. Their journey to a government hospital in Hajira, over 10 kilometers away, required 2.5 liters of fuel, which was painstakingly gathered from neighbors' motorcycles. Upon arrival, the limited medical staff could only stabilize his brother, necessitating an immediate transfer to a larger hospital, preferably in Islamabad, approximately 140 kilometers away.
The subsequent search for another vehicle and more fuel proved arduous. A cousin traveled over 60 kilometers to provide an additional five liters of petrol, enabling the onward journey. Eventually, Iqbal's brother received treatment in Islamabad and is now recovering. This incident highlights the critical challenges faced by residents in accessing essential services, exacerbated by the prevailing unrest and logistical impediments.
Internet Blackout and Economic Strain
The unrest commenced in June following the authorities' ban on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a coalition advocating for various grievances, including the abolition of 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. Weeks of protests, sit-ins, and clashes ensued, resulting in fatalities among both protesters and law enforcement personnel, ahead of phased legislative assembly elections scheduled to begin on July 27.
However, for many in Poonch Division and surrounding areas, the most defining aspect of the past month has been the extensive disruption to daily life caused by roadblocks and a prolonged internet shutdown. Mobile data and broadband services across AJK have been suspended since June 5. While Zaheer Iqbal noted that the internet shutdown had less impact in his village due to minimal business activity, he acknowledged its severe consequences for students and businesses in more urban settings. His own livelihood, dependent on remittances from relatives abroad or in Islamabad, has been sustained by these funds, as work opportunities have dwindled since the protests began.
Impact on Education and Commerce
In the neighboring Sudhnoti district, Malik Niaz Ahmed, president of the local traders’ association, reported that the internet shutdown has disproportionately affected students. Additionally, road closures have disrupted the supply of government-subsidized wheat, forcing traders to purchase flour at significantly higher market rates. This has led to increased costs for consumers, who were promised a subsidized rate of 2,200 Pakistani rupees ($8) per maund (approximately 37kg) but are now paying around 6,000 rupees ($21.60).
Masood Khan, principal of a postgraduate college in Poonch’s Pallandari area, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the internet closure as the primary obstacle to academic activities. He described constant mobile network failures and poor call quality, further complicating communication. Khan, a veteran educator, noted the increased cost of public transport and the scarcity of groceries, with essential items often requiring queuing or extra payment. His students, midway through entrance examinations for medical colleges across Pakistan, have seen their remaining papers postponed for over six weeks, potentially jeopardizing an entire academic year. “No exam means no result, which means no admission,” Khan lamented, underscoring the long-term consequences for a generation of students.
Challenges in Muzaffarabad and Fading Support for Protests
Approximately 150 kilometers north of Rawalakot, the largest city in Poonch Division, lies Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Here, the disruptions have manifested differently. Usman Gul, a 35-year-old lawyer, had to postpone his wedding reception due to the internet shutdown, which rendered banks and ATMs inoperable. Despite having funds, he was compelled to borrow cash to cover wedding expenses, as electronic transfers were impossible. This incident highlights the paradox of a modern economy reliant on digital services being paralyzed by a lack of connectivity.
Malik Dawood, a printing business owner in Muzaffarabad, reported a complete collapse of his business since June 5. His staff now travel two hours to find a mobile signal to contact clients, and he estimates losses between 15 million and 20 million Pakistani rupees ($54,000 to $72,000) during what is typically his busiest period due to election-related work. Dawood expressed frustration that the shutdown affects the entire AJK region, despite the protests being concentrated in specific districts, questioning why targeted shutdowns are not implemented.
While Dawood acknowledged initial strong support for JAAC when it focused on issues like wheat and electricity prices, he noted that this support has “faded gradually” as the movement expanded its demands to include the refugee seats issue, which he believes is a constitutional matter requiring parliamentary resolution rather than street protests. Salma Ahmed, a salon owner, shared similar sentiments, stating that the reserved seats issue does not concern her daily life, unlike the earlier demands for cheaper wheat and electricity, which brought tangible relief.
Conflicting Narratives and Political Disengagement
Government officials, however, present a contrasting view. Deputy Commissioner Munir Qureshi asserted that daily life has largely returned to normalcy across most of the region. He claimed that internet access is maintained at limited locations, including banks, and that road closures are confined to parts of Poonch Division, with movement in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions remaining unrestricted. He also stated that election campaigning is proceeding as planned.
This official account sharply contradicts the experiences of residents in Poonch and Sudhnoti, who report a pervasive internet shutdown without exceptions and mobile networks struggling to sustain basic calls. The fuel shortages faced by Iqbal further underscore the discrepancy between official statements and ground realities.
The prolonged crisis has led to varying reactions regarding the upcoming elections. Iqbal, disillusioned by the clashes between security personnel and protesters, no longer intends to vote, viewing it as an endorsement of those he perceives as brutalizing the populace. Conversely, businessman Dawood plans to vote, believing parliamentary channels are the appropriate means to resolve issues. For Ahmed, the internet shutdown remains the paramount concern, questioning its indefinite duration and the public's suffering. Educator Khan continues to ponder who will be held accountable for the lost academic year, emphasizing the broader societal cost of the ongoing turmoil.
Source: Original Article
