Islamabad : In late April, China urged Pakistan to ensure the utmost protection for thousands of Chinese workers engaged in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. This request came during a strategic dialogue in Beijing, co-chaired by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This meeting occurred against the backdrop of Pakistan's severe economic crisis and significant protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

The timing of China's appeal is noteworthy, coinciding with large-scale economic protests in PoJK. China has supported these left-wing organized protests, driven by grievances over high electricity bills and wheat shortages. The unrest in cities like Muzaffarabad and Rawalkot prompted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allocate 23 billion Pakistani Rupees to the region and propose a visit to assess the situation personally. The protests subsided after Sharif's announcement of subsidies for flour and electricity.

Two critical points emerge from these events. Firstly, the chaotic scenes in PoJK expose the myth of "Azad" or "Free" Kashmir, as Pakistan's security forces have violently suppressed economic dissent. This suppression has led to at least one police officer's death, over 100 injuries, and numerous civilian arrests. Secondly, the protests indicate a diminishing fear of the Pakistani Army among PoJK residents.

The protests stem from systemic issues such as soaring food and fuel prices, lack of economic opportunities, and unaffordable electricity rates despite PoJK's hydropower potential. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), led by traders, has demanded electricity priced according to local hydropower costs, subsidized wheat flour, and an end to elite privileges.

The JAAC's activism highlights the disconnect between the government and the public's economic hardships. Pakistani authorities responded with force, arresting about 70 activists ahead of a planned march on May 10 and sealing off Muzaffarabad. The JAAC, a grassroots organization representing traders and citizens, continued their demands despite the crackdown.

China's backing of the PoJK protests is seen as a move to pressure Pakistan into allowing Chinese private security agencies to protect CPEC projects, a request Pakistan has resisted. The ongoing attacks on Chinese workers in Pakistan have heightened China's concerns. For instance, in March, a terrorist attack on the Dasu Hydropower Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed five Chinese and one Pakistani national.

China's involvement in PoJK reflects its prioritization of the safety of its nationals working on CPEC projects. The images of the crackdown in PoJK, featuring tear gas, injured protesters, internet shutdowns, and mass arrests, undermine Pakistan's claim to champion the Kashmir cause. The harsh response to dissent reveals the hollow nature of Pakistan's rhetoric and highlights the population's growing disillusionment with Pakistan as a credible advocate for their aspirations. This shift is further evidenced by their diminishing fear of the Pakistani Army.

China's strategic maneuvering in this situation underscores its commitment to safeguarding its interests, even if it means leveraging local unrest to achieve its objectives.