Aug 10, 2026 17:38 pm IST

Opinion | Pakistan's Kashmir 'Story' Is Now Collapsing Under The Weight Of Its Own Contradictions

Pakistan spent decades internationalising the Kashmir issue. With the PoK uprising, that has come back not only to bite it, but to expose it

Aishwaria Sonavane Aishwaria Sonavane Columnist

Aishwaria Sonavane Columnist

Pakistan's central narrative framed the Kashmir dispute with India essentially through the language of self-determination, making a case for international attention. The ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over the last two months, however, inform an uncomfortable contradiction. What began as an anti-government civil society mobilisation in early July over inflated prices and political representation has, by early August, resulted in weeks of internet blackout, dozens of state-led killings, the proscription of a political coalition, and a flawed election process. The escalation rapidly turned deadly with clashes between security forces and protesters. The violence coincided with local polls being conducted in three phases between late July and early August. In fact, on June 9, a British national who was not even participating in the demonstrations was struck by a stray bullet and died, though his death has been reported only now.

The 1974 Interim Constitution provided a blueprint for PoK's political framework, while concurrently institutionalising Islamabad's control. The 2018 constitutional reforms devolved some of the financial and legislative authority to the elected representation in the region; Islamabad continued to retain substantial influence through the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, fiscal dependence, and oversight.

The JAAC and the Reserved-Seats Dispute

At the center of the current movement is the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a coalition body of traders, lawyers, students, and transporters. The........

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