Dead in bloody protests in Pakistani Kashmir / Islamabad government's big challenge 2 months before the elections

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: According to IRNA from Muzaffarabad, the atmosphere in this city and other areas of Pakistani Kashmir has become extremely secure following the call by the "People's Action Committee" (ACC) for a nationwide strike and protests. Thousands of military, police and counter-insurgency forces have been deployed in different parts of this semi-autonomous region to prevent the spread of unrest.

 

According to reports, about 10,000 protesters have taken to the streets in recent days and demanded the cancellation of 12 special seats allocated to Kashmiri refugees living outside the region. The protesters argue that the fate of these seats should be decided only by the actual residents of Pakistani Kashmir through the ballot box.

The dispute has intensified because the upcoming elections are due to be held in late July and the way these seats are allocated effectively prevents many residents of Kashmir from competing in the elections. The People’s Action Committee has called this situation unacceptable, insisting that all legislative seats should go to people living in the region.

In contrast, the Pakistani government and local Kashmiri authorities have accused the leaders of the People’s Action Committee of violating the law, sedition and inciting people to confront the government and security forces. The political group has now been placed on the list of banned organizations, a move that appears to have added to the flames of the protests rather than reducing tensions.

Despite the heavy deployment of security forces, tensions continue to persist in various parts of Islamabad-controlled Kashmir, and the crisis has become a serious test for Pakistan’s central government ahead of local elections.