India Accuses Pakistan of Resource Exploitation in POK, Sparking Protests Amidst Ongoing Tensions

Amidst ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), India has accused Pakistan of exploitative policies that deny local people control over their own resources. According to the Indian foreign ministry, these protests are a direct result of Pakistan’s longstanding practice of plundering resources from these territories, which are under its illegal occupation. The foreign ministry spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal, reiterated that the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have always been integral parts of India and will continue to remain so.

In a recent media briefing, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged the unrest in POK and highlighted comparisons being made between the situation there and that in Jammu and Kashmir, where progress is evident. Reports from Dawn newspaper indicate that businesses, banks, and transportation services were shut down in three districts of Muzaffarabad in POK during the protests. Violent clashes between security forces and protesters resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to over 100 individuals, mostly policemen. The protests were sparked by grievances over high prices of essential commodities like wheat flour and electricity in POK.