Muzaffarabad: As the world increasingly turns its attention to developmental progress and regional stability, the grim situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) remains an open wound in South Asia’s geopolitical narrative. Under the tight control of the Pakistani military establishment, PoJK suffers from widespread socio-political repression, economic exploitation, and humanitarian neglect—conditions that starkly contrast with the promises made by Islamabad.

This article offers a detailed, point-by-point analysis of the worsening landscape across PoJK, exposing systemic injustice, lack of civil liberties, and institutionalized neglect.

1. Mass Graves and Human Rights Abuses
Multiple credible reports and local testimonies point to the existence of unmarked mass graves in areas such as Neelum Valley, Leepa, and Bagh. These graves allegedly contain the bodies of political dissenters, abductees, and those falsely labeled as militants. International human rights organizations have expressed concern over the lack of independent investigations and transparency.

These mass graves are symbolic of a broader culture of impunity, where extrajudicial killings are neither investigated nor condemned.

2. Gender-Based Violence and Exploitation
Gender injustice in PoJK is severe and persistent. Forced marriages are alarmingly common, with over 40% of girls under 18 in rural areas being coerced into early marriages—often with older men or Pakistani military personnel.

Sexual violence affects 1 in 4 women, according to data from local NGOs, with cases going largely unreported due to fear of retaliation or lack of legal support. Between 200 to 300 women are trafficked annually, either to Pakistan’s urban centers or Gulf countries, under the pretense of employment or marriage. These women are later subjected to sexual exploitation and domestic slavery.

3. Arrests and Torture of Dissenters
PoJK operates in an atmosphere of deep political repression. Activists, journalists, and students critical of Pakistan’s role in the region have faced arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions, and in many cases, physical torture.
The Azad Jammu & Kashmir Interim Constitution Act of 1974 even forbids any political activity that questions the legitimacy of Pakistan’s control, thereby criminalizing dissent.

4. Police Brutality and Discriminatory Policing
Instances of police brutality are frequently reported, especially during public protests or anti-establishment demonstrations. The May 2024 electricity protests saw violent crackdowns in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, and Kotli, where unarmed civilians were beaten, tear-gassed, and arrested. Such treatment underlines the differential and dehumanizing approach to law enforcement in PoJK compared to other parts of Pakistan.

5. Protests Over Basic Services
Despite its rich natural resources, PoJK suffers from decaying public infrastructure. Locals have staged repeated protests demanding basic services such as electricity, potable water, and healthcare. The May 2024 protests, triggered by an abrupt hike in electricity prices, drew thousands to the streets amid police aggression.

This public frustration reflects a chronic breakdown in governance and a sense of alienation among PoJK residents.

6. Healthcare Crisis: A System on Life Support
The healthcare sector is critically under-resourced. There is just one hospital for every 1.5 lakh people, and most rural areas lack even basic clinics or dispensaries. Preventable diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, and hepatitis are rampant due to poor sanitation and lack of medical outreach.

50% of PoJK’s population lacks access to clean drinking water, contributing to over 3,000 deaths annually from waterborne illnesses. A staggering 90% of water sources are deemed unsafe for human consumption.

7. Crumbling Infrastructure and Isolated Villages
PoJK’s rural road network is in disrepair, with 80% of roads either unpaved or damaged. Monsoon seasons regularly bring landslides and road blockages, isolating entire communities for days or weeks.

In contrast to the claims of development by Pakistani authorities, many remote villages still rely on animal tracks or footbridges for access to markets, schools, or emergency services.

8. Resource Exploitation by the Pakistani Military
The systematic exploitation of PoJK’s natural resources by the Pakistani military and private contractors continues unabated.

The Mangla Dam, constructed in the 1960s, displaced over 100,000 residents. Today, 80% of the electricity it generates is supplied to Punjab and other regions, while PoJK remains underpowered and receives no revenue share.

The Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Project, completed in 2018 at a cost of $3.5 billion, has failed to benefit locals. Instead, power is diverted elsewhere, leaving PoJK communities with barely 3–5 hours of electricity per day.

9. Environmental Damage and Neglect
Dams and unregulated mining have caused severe environmental degradation in PoJK. Soil erosion, deforestation, and declining crop yields are threatening the livelihoods of local farmers. The Jhelum and Neelum rivers—once sources of sustenance—are now polluted due to industrial runoff and dam overflows.

The exploitation of mineral resources, such as gypsum, coal, and limestone, is often conducted by companies linked to the Pakistani Army, with no benefits or compensations for local communities.

Conclusion: A Region Silenced and Stolen
While Pakistan continues to project PoJK as a symbol of solidarity with the people of Kashmir, the ground reality tells a drastically different story—one of institutional exploitation, human suffering, and total disenfranchisement.

With international scrutiny intensifying, the people of PoJK are demanding what they have long been denied—dignity, representation, and justice. Their voices, suppressed for decades, are now resonating through protests, online campaigns, and international forums, calling for global attention and intervention.

The unfolding humanitarian crisis in PoJK stands as a stark indictment of Pakistan’s hollow claims. The time has come for the world to listen—not to the rhetoric from Islamabad, but to the cries from the valleys of PoJK.