Protest erupts against Pakistan for promoting terrorism in PoK

Rawalakot [Pakistan-occupied Kashmir], July 8 (ANI): Massive protests have erupted in Rawalakot city of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) against the rising activities of terrorists in the region.

The residents and political activists blamed Islamabad for providing shelter and training to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

"We have loudly said that the non-state actors, who are being smuggled to Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan's secret agencies, have sabotaged our struggle. The world is now seeing it as an act of terrorism. Nobody is listening to us. After 9/11 incident, our efforts were abolished. When international community put pressure on Pakistan to eliminate Lashkar-e-Taiba, they activated Jaish-e-Mohammed led by Maulana Masood Azhar. Now, JeM is getting promoted in PoK," Senior leader, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Sardar Jagir Khan said.

In Tarar Khel region of PoK, the locals took to the streets protesting against decades of misrule, discrimination and oppression by Islamabad.

Disillusioned with the local leadership, that has largely acted as a stooge of Islamabad, people of the region raised anti-establishment and anti-administration slogans.

Denied of basic rights and amenities for years, the residents of Tarar Khel have been demanding construction of roads and a hospital.

"You all are weak. Do you think anybody can tax us for this road? Say that louder. If not then, don't you think you should also have the courage? Our nation, our rule. You are not in Sindh, You are not in Quetta, and you are not in Peshawar, where you can get abducted. This is Kashmir and this is a land of martyrs, religious, brave, independent, active and responsible people," a protestor from Tarar Khel, PoK said.

"After this protest, if our demands are not met then it will be an insult to the youth. Police will harass you. Politicians will harass you and state administration will harass you. If you want to avoid these atrocities, if you want your children to get educated, if you want hospitals then join us and walk with us." he added.

"We have been allocated two budgets and three are still remaining but Pakistan has no control over the finance now, where will they give money from? We are aware of everything. Elections are not being held in any constituency. There is no recruitment, no counselor, no road construction, no school then which government do they talk about?" said another protestor from Tarar Khel, PoK.

A part of erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, PoK and Gilgit Baltistan remains under Pakistani occupation since 1948.

The people here are suffering at the hands of both state and non-state actors. A majority of them demand freedom from Pakistan's forceful occupation. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI