Pakistan Army battles uprising in PoK: 70,000 protesters gather as Rawalakot echoes with slogans of 'Azadi'

Lahore: Protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have continued for the 14th consecutive day. Large numbers of women and schoolchildren are participating in the movement. Demonstrators are raising slogans for freedom and opposing Pakistan's occupation. More than 70,000 protesters have been gathering at the Eidgah Ground in Rawalakot for the past 11 days.

What is happening in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir?

According to intelligence sources, new protests have also erupted in several towns and villages. In Tarar Khel, Sudhanoti district, schoolchildren aged around 10–12 gathered at a public square and chanted slogans for freedom. Hundreds of women held a march in the Mandhol area, raising vociferous slogans against the Pakistan government and the Pakistan Army.

Simultaneously, they protested against the occupation and the lack of rights in the region. Many schoolchildren arrived at the main protest site in Rawalakot carrying placards. These placards bore messages such as "Pakistan Army has come out," "Pakistan Army is killing Kashmiris," "Pakistan is attacking Kashmir," "We want basic rights," and "We want free education."

The participation of children in the movement is being viewed as one of the most significant aspects. It indicates growing resentment among the younger generation regarding political pressure, economic hardships, and the influence of the army in PoK. Sardar Aman Khan, a key organizer of the movement, addressed thousands of people at the Eidgah Ground in Rawalakot.

He stated that the people of PoK still have options and that the scope for Pakistan's strategy is rapidly diminishing. Warning Pakistan, he asserted that rights must be granted, or else a massive movement would ensue. He declared, "If the Pakistani Army continues its oppression, the military system will be driven out of PoK."

What did PoK protesters say about the Pakistan Army?

Sardar Aman Khan accused the Pakistan Army of violence against ethnic groups. Citing past atrocities against Bengalis and the ongoing pressure on Baloch and Pashtun communities, he emphasized that Kashmiris would not tolerate such treatment. He said, "If Kashmiris cannot live in PoK, then the Pakistani Army will not be able to stay there either."

This entire movement is being conducted under the banner of the Awami Action Committee (AAC). The AAC has presented a charter of 38 demands to the Pakistani government and set a deadline of June 23 for their fulfillment. AAC leaders state that if their demands are not met, a massive march will be organized from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad, the administrative capital of PoK.

According to them, hundreds of thousands of protesters could participate in this march. Sardar warned that if the march takes place, the movement will attempt to establish public control over institutions in Muzaffarabad. He stated, "The government in Muzaffarabad will be that of the Awami Action Committee." He likened the movement to the political transformations witnessed in Nepal and Bangladesh.