A territory-wide shutdown has paralysed daily life across Pakistan-administered Kashmir following the deadliest unrest the region has witnessed in years.
At least 24 people have been killed, including civilians and police officers, during nearly two weeks of violent protests linked to a dispute over electoral representation ahead of next month’s legislative elections, reports Reuters.
The confrontation centres on opposition to the allocation of 12 reserved seats for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir in the 27 July elections for the region’s 45-seat legislative assembly.
The protests, led by supporters of the recently banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), have posed a politically sensitive challenge for Islamabad, which has often criticised India’s handling of dissent in Kashmir but is now facing unrest in territory under its own administration.
What triggered the protests?
Tensions escalated before a strike called by the JAAC on 9 June. The group opposed the decision to reserve a dozen assembly seats for refugees living in Pakistan after being displaced from Indian-administered Kashmir.
Demonstrations gathered momentum in the days leading up to the strike and quickly developed into wider confrontations with authorities.
According to government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, at least 20 civilians were killed between 6 and 14 June, while dozens more sustained injuries.
The violence has since evolved into one of the most serious episodes of unrest in the region in recent years.
How severe has the violence been?
Police say the clashes have taken a heavy toll on both protesters and security personnel.
Regional police chief Liaqat Ali Malik said four police officers were killed and 97 others injured during confrontations with demonstrators. He added that authorities had detained 515 people in connection with the unrest.
Meanwhile, thousands of JAAC supporters have gathered on the outskirts of Rawalakot, a town located about 100 kilometres south of Muzaffarabad, the regional capital, maintaining pressure on the authorities despite restrictions imposed across the territory.
How has the government responded?
Authorities have introduced a series of measures aimed at containing the unrest. Major roads have been closed, internet services suspended and media access restricted across large parts of the region.
The communications blackout has affected a wide range of services.
Banks have displayed notices attributing the suspension of ATM and banking operations to the shutdown of internet and satellite connections. Petrol stations have also remained closed under government orders.
These restrictions have contributed to the effective shutdown of economic and social activity across much of the territory.
What impact is the shutdown having on ordinary people?
The consequences are being felt most sharply by daily wage earners and low-income workers.
In Muzaffarabad’s Upper Adda commercial district, usually one of the busiest parts of the city, many labourers have been left without work.
The area, typically crowded with traders during the day and food vendors in the evening, has become largely deserted.
“Since June 9, I have not earned a single rupee,” said Ikhlaq Ahmed, a 27-year-old day labourer from a remote village.
Although some medical shops and grocery stores have begun operating for limited hours, and a number of fruit and vegetable sellers have cautiously resumed business, most commercial establishments remain closed.
For workers who depend on daily earnings, the disruption has become increasingly difficult to endure.
“Those with resources may sustain it,” said motorcycle taxi driver Asif Naz. “But for blue-collar workers like us, it is self-slaughter.”
As the shutdown continues and thousands of protesters remain mobilised, there is little indication of an immediate resolution, leaving both authorities and residents facing growing uncertainty.
