PoK Protests Deepen Into Humanitarian Crisis As Government Allegedly Blocks Essential Supplies

Islamabad: Tensions are rising fast in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). People have been protesting for over two weeks now. The government and military are trying hard to crush the demonstrations. Soldiers have opened fire on crowds. Now there are claims that the government is blocking food, fuel and medicines to break the will of the protesters.
Local people, truck drivers and opposition leaders told media that vehicles carrying essential goods are being stopped at checkpoints. They cannot reach protest areas. Pakistani officials deny any blockade but according to locals, the situation is getting worse every day.

How is the situation in PoK now?

The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had called a complete shutdown. This had already created problems for ordinary people. Now the government blockade has made things much harder. Food and fuel are running out and people's daily lives have fallen apart.
Many areas have no food and no fuel either. In big districts like Poonch and Muzaffarabad, petrol pumps are closed and drivers have to buy fuel on the black market. Internet is also down, which is making life even more difficult.

No medicines, no flour, what about basic amenities?

In Muzaffarabad, people cannot find basic things. According to media reports, one resident said that he cannot find medicines because most drug shops are closed. He has been searching everywhere but even big shops are shut. One other resident spoke to the media and said that the people stopped getting rations after the strike started. He has been depositing money at the ration depot for 15 days but still has no flour as of now. The flour available in local markets has become very expensive.
People in Abbaspur and Rawalkot said the same thing, as per the media reports. They said the JAAC shutdown is partly to blame. Markets and shops are closed because of it. But the bigger problem is that police are stopping trucks carrying supplies.
Another resident begged police to let him take food and medicines home, but they refused. Police told him they would only let him go if he threw away the food and medicines. This attitude has made everything worse.

What is the opposition parties take?

Pakistan's main opposition party PTI has accused the government of blocking supplies to POK. The party said that trucks are being stopped on many roads, including the Azad Pattan route. People cannot get food, water or medicines. PTI said these restrictions set a bad example.

Why are people protesting?

The unrest started over 12 assembly seats. These seats are reserved for refugees from Kashmir. Local groups claim that Islamabad uses these seats to control elections. They say the government creates compliant governments using these seats.

More trouble coming?

The government has banned JAAC but the movement keeps growing. Large protests happened in Rawalkot. In Muzaffarabad, thousands of people marched and warned the government that protests will get worse.