Azad? Only in Name: The Harsh Reality of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir

By methodology of the plan of Jammu and Kashmir, a well-known fact recurrently will get blurred below diplomatic warning and global distractions: Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are no longer self adequate lands, but territories illegally occupied and administered by Pakistan since 1947. Together identified as Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), these areas are key ingredients of the erstwhile princely relate of Jammu and Kashmir, which legally acceded to India. Their story will not be any longer one of free will, but of manipulation, political retain watch over, and the introduction of a launchpad for militancy against India.

Azad Kashmir, formally called “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” (AJK), lies within the southern a part of POK. Despite the substantial claim of “Azad” (which methodology “free”), it is anything else but self adequate. Azad Kashmir has its comprise authorities, top minister, and a legislative assembly, but all meaningful powers—seriously protection, international policy, and constitutional issues—leisure firmly within the fingers of Islamabad. Pakistan’s Ministry of Kashmir Affairs successfully governs the acquire 22 situation, guaranteeing that real autonomy stays a delusion. The acquire 22 situation covers about 13,297 square kilometers and is residence to roughly 4 million other folks. Major cities treasure Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, and Bagh inspire as administrative centers, however the fashioned other folks glean runt hiss over their political future.

In stark difference, Gilgit-Baltistan, beforehand identified as the Northern Areas, occupies the mountainous northern expanse of POK, protecting nearly 72,496 square kilometers—extra than five instances the scale of Azad Kashmir. This mountainous acquire 22 situation is strategically major, sharing borders with China, Afghanistan, and India’s Ladakh. In difference to Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan is actual away administered by Pakistan with out even the facade of autonomy till 2009, when a restricted self-governance tell modified into once launched. Even this day, the opposite folks there make no longer glean any constitutional recognition interior Pakistan and are denied illustration within the Pakistani Parliament. Islamabad’s grip on Gilgit-Baltistan stays tight thanks to its big strategic payment: the Karakoram Highway passes by it, linking Pakistan to China’s Xinjiang province.

The contrast between the two areas lies no longer good in their governance but within the scale of Pakistan’s strategic exploitation. Azad Kashmir, smaller and extra populated, is recurrently utilized by Pakistan as a propaganda gadget to nice looking in an image of “Kashmiri self-decision.” Gilgit-Baltistan, on the many hand, is treated purely as a colony—a landmass precious for its relate, resources, and militia advantage. Whereas Azad Kashmir has managed to achieve a restricted local political structure, Gilgit-Baltistan stays disenfranchised, its other folks denied the basic democratic rights Pakistan claims to champion.

Moreover, both areas glean been systematically used as breeding grounds for terrorism. A gigantic different of militant coaching camps glean been dwelling up in Azad Kashmir by Pakistan’s Inter-Services and products Intelligence (ISI) to infiltrate trained militants into India. Areas a lot like Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bhimber are notorious for net net hosting pain outfits treasure Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. These groups are no longer hidden forces; they operate brazenly with strengthen, recruitment drives, and even fundraising events below the watchful look of Pakistani authorities. Meanwhile, ingredients of Gilgit-Baltistan glean been quietly militarized to suppress local Shia Muslim populations and to precise serious land routes for Chinese language interests below the China-Pakistan Economic Hall (CPEC).

Historically, both Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan glean been integral ingredients of the princely relate of Jammu and Kashmir ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh. When Pakistan tried to annex Kashmir by tribal invasions in October 1947, the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession to India, making Kashmir legally a a part of India. Nonetheless, within the chaos that adopted, Gilgit-Baltistan witnessed a mutiny led by British officers within the Gilgit Scouts who handed over retain watch over to Pakistan.

Azad Kashmir, meanwhile, modified into once born out of a Pakistani-orchestrated conspiracy all by the equivalent duration. As Pakistani tribesmen, armed and directed by Pakistan’s militia establishment, stormed into Kashmir in a brutal campaign of looting and violence, a local insurrection modified into once concurrently encouraged within the western districts of the princely relate. Supported by Pakistan’s navy officers disguised as “volunteers,” insurgents proclaimed the introduction of a so-called “Azad Kashmir” authorities on October 24, 1947, at Muzaffarabad.

Nonetheless, removed from being an natural uprising, the insurrection modified into once deeply engineered by Pakistan to achieve a puppet administration that will most likely be used to claim the territory as a “other folks’s circulate.” The newly declared authorities had no real independence; it grew to become, and stays, entirely subservient to Islamabad’s political and militia interests. India, defending the true accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh, deployed forces to repel the invaders, but by then, Pakistan had entrenched itself in ingredients of the acquire 22 situation, ensuing in a bitter and unfinished war that endures till this day.

As of late, Pakistan tries to painting these areas as expressions of Kashmiri nationalism, however the actual fact is intention grimmer. Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are denied correct freedom and rights by Pakistan itself. Elections in Azad Kashmir are closely rigged, with candidates required to explain loyalty to Pakistan—an instantaneous contradiction to the very notion of “self-decision.” In Gilgit-Baltistan, demographic manipulation is underway to dilute local ethnic identities, with outsiders being settled to shift the population balance.

India’s rightful claim over these territories is rooted in both history and legality. The 1994 unanimous decision handed by the Indian Parliament asserts that Pakistan must vacate all ingredients of Jammu and Kashmir below its illegal occupation. The sphere must notion that Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are no longer mere “disputed territories” but lands looking ahead to liberation from Pakistan’s oppressive shield. Their other folks deserve democracy, dignity, and pattern—values that align with India’s constitutional framework, no longer Pakistan’s exploitation.

On this context, India’s policy must remain agency: any dialogue with Pakistan must open up with the total vacation of POK. The voices from Muzaffarabad to Skardu desires to be heard, and the dream of a reunited Jammu, Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan must proceed to inspire every Indian heart. The unfinished job of 1947 must no longer be forgotten—for the sake of justice, nationwide team spirit, and the rightful aspirations of hundreds and hundreds dwelling below a international flag.

——–E.O.M.