The Indian flag was hoisted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s (PoK) Rawalkot during the ongoing protest against Pakistani government due to unjust taxes and the arrest of dozens of activists. The protests turned violent as protestors also pelted stones at the security personnel. Pakistan had deployed troops to crush the protests planned on May 11 which led to the arrest of 70 activists angering the public.
Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has announced to take out a protest march in Muzaffarabad of PoK on May 11 regarding the crippling inflation being suffered by Pakistan. In view of which, the state government has demanded additional contingent of CAF and Punjab Police. The state planned to deploy troops from outside and deal with the situation with an iron hand, enraging the protestors. The leaders JAAC said that any attempt by the government to thwart the May 11 incidents by force will be strongly opposed.
People of PoK say that people in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan do not have food, flour and pulses, and power cuts are at their peak. At the same time, India's Save Sharda organization has also supported the demands of the people of PoK.
However, Pakistan Occupied Kashmir's United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) and Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) have warned Pakistan against use of force against peaceful protestors. But protests in many parts of PoK have now turned violent.
Why are protests taking place in PoK?
Pakistanis have been reeling under back-breaking inflation, worsened by the stringent conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund while approving a $3-billion financial assistance package. The increase in electricity charges added to the problems, and people in Pakistan have been forced to take to the streets.