Why is PoK up in arms against Pakistan? And why is Islamabad blam India?

Protests erupted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in September 2025 due to a combination of long-standing economic, political, and social grievances against the Pakistani government. While the protests are driven by internal issues, Islamabad has historically blamed India for internal instability to divert attention from its own failures.

Reasons for the unrest in PoK

Economic exploitation

• Resource plundering: Despite PoK being the source of significant hydropower projects, such as the Mangla Dam, residents face high electricity tariffs and frequent blackouts. Locals accuse Islamabad of siphoning off the profits from these resources without reinvesting in the region.
• High cost of living: Amid Pakistan’s broader economic crisis, the price of subsidized wheat flour has soared, making basic necessities unaffordable for many.
• Lack of development: Demonstrators complain about stalled development projects, including a long-promised international airport in Mirpur.

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Political marginalization

• Reserved assembly seats: Protesters demand the abolition of 12 seats in the PoK Legislative Assembly that are reserved for “Kashmiri refugees” living in Pakistan. They view these seats as a way for Islamabad to manipulate local politics and undermine genuine representation.
• Limited autonomy: The PoK Legislative Assembly has limited powers, with key decisions controlled by Islamabad through an administrative council. This arrangement, along with military interference, has fostered decades of resentment

Brutal suppression by Pakistani security forces

• Violent crackdown: What began as a peaceful “shutter-down” strike escalated into clashes after Pakistani security forces used tear gas, pellets, and live fire against protesters.
• Casualties: The violence led to the deaths of at least 12 civilians and several police officers, with hundreds more injured. This heavy-handed response intensified public anger.
• Internet shutdown: In response to the unrest, mobile and internet services were shut down, further fueling resentment.

Why Islamabad blames India

• Diversionary tactic: Blaming India is a standard practice for the Pakistani establishment to shift focus away from its internal failures and mismanagement. By accusing India of orchestrating the unrest, Pakistan attempts to frame the protests as a foreign conspiracy rather than a reflection of genuine local discontent.
• International propaganda: Pakistan has long portrayed PoK as a “free” region, and the 2025 protests directly challenge this narrative. Blaming India allows Islamabad to continue its propaganda, portraying the turmoil as Indian aggression rather than a rejection of Pakistani rule.
• Lack of evidence: Pakistan often fails to provide specific evidence, such as intercepted communications or captured operatives, to substantiate its claims of Indian involvement. The latest accusations were dismissed by protest leaders as an “Indian cipher” created by the ruling elite to distract from the public’s grievances.

Resolution of the 2025 protests

Following the violent clashes, Pakistan‘s government signed an agreement with the protest leaders on October 4, 2025. The pact included promises to subsidize wheat and electricity and address some of the protesters’ demands. However, tensions remain high, with many skeptical of Islamabad’s ability or willingness to follow through on its commitments. Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis limits its capacity to fulfill the promises, which could lead to further instabilit