Athens, July 1 (IANS) People in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are facing harsh punishment for holding protests to demand their constitutional rights, with Pakistani security forces subjecting them to “horrendous and gruesome” treatment, a report has stated.
Any government of the day is expected to provide basic facilities and ensure a dignified life for the people it governs, irrespective of the conflicting views. However, Islamabad has taken a hostile stance towards Kashmiris in PoK, disrupting the region's lifeline through road and administrative blockades, communication restrictions, and the destruction of livelihood, according to a report in Athens-based 'Directus.'
"The Islamabad government and Pakistan’s military did not want Kashmiris to voice their concerns and sought to suppress the ongoing protests without holding any meaningful dialogue. They found an easy solution. Smother people. Crush their spirit. How? Stop their access to food, medicines, and social communication," it stated.
The report noted that Pakistan's army has exacerbated the situation by imposing a blockade, effectively sealing off the region through a series of coordinated restrictions. The blockade has triggered acute shortages of essential food commodities and life-saving medicines while severely disrupting local livelihoods, which are largely dependent on tourism.
“There are restrictions on news reporting, and the suspension of internet and satellite services has curtailed smooth dissemination of information about the ground realities. Yet, people in Kashmir have somehow managed to convey their plight to the world through social media and relatives based outside Kashmir. What is emerging is horrific. The Pakistani army appears to be trying to suffocate Kashmiris and crush their dissent by creating artificial food and medicine shortages,” the report stated.
Videos circulating on social media show Kashmiris gathered near halted supply trucks and raising slogans against Pakistan.
“Food transport vehicles heading to Kashmir are being stopped by the Pak Army and not allowed to enter the region. The army has intensified pressure in Kashmir; even food supply deliveries are being restricted. Generals are trying very hard to repeat the history of Bangladesh,” wrote Burhanuddin on X.
According to the report, Islamabad sealed the routes to the major cities of Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot in PoK, isolating the protesters from the rest of the region. It added that petrol pumps remained closed, while public transport services were suspended, bringing normal life to a standstill.
Citing international media reports, it said that markets across the occupied territory had run out of fresh vegetables and fruits, with ordinary people struggling to access essential ration supplies.
The report highlighted that vegetables are being sold at three to four times their normal prices as Pakistani security forces have allegedly prevented supplies from entering the region.
"We even tried bringing medicines from Rawalpindi in our own carrier vehicle, but the police did not allow us to enter Muzaffarabad, saying permission had not been granted,” Directus quoted Abdul Majid Awan, a resident of Muzaffarabad, as saying.
It noted that paramilitary forces have been deployed across PoK, preventing people from obtaining food supplies, while CCTV footage allegedly showed security personnel conducting house raids and confiscating whatever supplies were left.
"The state is so broke that our army now raids homes in Kashmir, ransacking cabinets and taking from families already crushed by shortages,” said sociology student Hasib Siddique.
--IANS
scor/as
