Protests during regional elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have resulted in fatalities, with leaders of a banned Kashmiri group reporting over 30 deaths near one town due to clashes with security forces. This occurred ahead of the second voting round.
Pakistan’s leading political party, the PML-N, secured nine out of 13 seats up for election in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber on Monday. Originally, the election was meant to be one round on July 27 but was divided into three separate rounds over security concerns. The second and third rounds are set for August 2 and August 10.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, founded by Imran Khan and the winner of the 2021 elections, has chosen to boycott the vote, claiming electoral fraud. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the region’s main protest group, was banned by authorities in June, sparking deadly protests in the previous month.
Services such as banking, roads, and the internet have suffered disruptions since then. Due to these limitations, Reuters could not verify the JAAC’s claim of more than 30 deaths around Rawalakot.
Authorities reported that security personnel suffered casualties, with one killed and five injured during Monday’s clashes. An anonymous official confirmed at least three protester deaths in Mirpur this week. Pakistani authorities justified the crackdown by alleging involvement of armed, India-backed militants with the Kashmiri protesters, a claim India has consistently denied.
Fazal Mahmood Baig, a Muzaffarabad resident, labeled the entire election fraudulent. Sardar Mazhar called for peaceful resolutions during a protest in Islamabad.
Tensions go back decades
The tensions in this autonomous region, under Pakistan’s administration, have deep historical roots but have intensified anew. Advocates for greater autonomy criticize Islamabad for political interference and economic neglect. Economic dissatisfaction often leads to protests, as seen in 2022 with demonstrations against high electricity prices, despite the region supplying cheap hydroelectric power to other parts of Pakistan.
Founded in 2023, the JAAC has become a focal point for demands for electoral reform. The local legislative assembly has 45 directly elected seats, with 12 reserved for constituencies named as refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. However, these seats are allegedly occupied by individuals living outside the region. The JAAC accused Islamabad of using these seats to manipulate local politics, allegations rejected by Pakistani officials.
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