Tension flares up in PoK as thousands come out on streets against Shehbaz Sharif govt

AAC, the umbrella organisation of civil society organisations, has now called an indefinite lockdown.

The committee is demanding the abolition of 12 legislative seats which were reserved for refugees in Jammu and Kashmir.

Other demands include subsidised flour, fairer power tariffs tied to the Mangla hydropower project and the implementation of reforms that have been delayed by the Pakistan government, Hindustan Times reported.

The locals have claimed the reservation of seats for the refugees "undermines representative governance", the daily added.

Thousands coming out on streets observing the call for "shutter-down and wheel-jam" have prompted the government to deploy security forces to contain the escalating situation.

Landline, mobile phones and internet have been snapped in the region to prevent the situation from getting worse.

Last Saturday, heavy security forces were deployed in PoK and flag marches were carried out.

The authorities said it aims to maintain peace and no attempt to disrupt public life will be allowed.

The Awami Action Committee in PoK is a grassroots protest alliance fighting for economic justice and rights for local people, mainly focusing on electricity, wheat, and governance issues under Pakistani administration. 

It’s usually a coalition of local traders’ associations, transporters, students, civil society, and sometimes smaller political groups. The word "Awami" signals that it represents “the people” rather than one party.

Their stance is largely economic and rights-based, not overtly separatist like the Srinagar-based AAC. 

 

 

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INDIA BLOOMS NEWS SERVICE

 

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