3 weeks ago
PoK Kashmiri Leaders Demand UN Peacekeeping Forces Replace Pak Military
People who live in a part of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan are upset.
They say their leaders promised to help them, but the promises were never kept.
Three written agreements were signed, but none of them were put into action.
The protesters want politicians, judges, and other powerful people to stop getting special privileges.
They also want the local government to own the big power projects built in their region.
A long time ago, in 1948, the United Nations said the people should get to vote on their own future.
The protesters want to remind the world of that promise.
They are asking United Nations soldiers to replace the Pakistani army in their region.
The Pakistani government says India is behind the protests, but the protesters disagree.
They plan to make a big announcement and hold more protests on August 13.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) said it will make a major announcement on August 13, possibly calling for UN peacekeeping forces to replace the Pakistani military in PoK.
JAAC reiterated its call for a plebiscite in PoK so residents can decide their fate, citing the August 13, 1948 UN resolution on Jammu and Kashmir.
JAAC accused the Pakistani government of blaming India for the unrest and misrepresenting its National Charter of Demands.
JAAC's demands include ending privileges for politicians, judges, senior bureaucrats and contractors, and transferring ownership of hydropower projects to the Kashmir (PoK) government per a 2019 High Court judgment.
Pakistan set up a high-level committee for a new financial framework for PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, while third-phase polling in four PoK seats took place amid clashes and rigging allegations.
- Who
- The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), Kashmiri leaders in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and the Pakistani government, which formed a high-level committee to prepare a new financial framework.
- What
- JAAC announced plans for a major August 13 declaration, likely demanding that UN peacekeeping forces replace the Pakistani military in PoK and that a plebiscite be held.
- Where
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday; fresh protests and the major announcement are planned for August 13.
- Why
- Because JAAC says past agreements were never implemented, demands accountability for killings, and cites the August 13, 1948 UN resolution that called for Pakistan's withdrawal and a plebiscite.
JAAC and protesters
Pakistani government
Blame for the unrest
JAAC and protesters
The unrest stems from the Pakistani establishment's failure to implement agreements, elite privileges, and a failed governance system; blaming India deliberately misrepresents JAAC's demands.
Pakistani government
The Pakistani government has attributed the protest and unrest in PoK to India.
Path to resolving PoK's status
JAAC and protesters
UN peacekeeping forces should replace the Pakistani military and a plebiscite should let people decide the region's fate, per the 1948 UN resolution.
Pakistani government
Pakistan has responded by forming a high-level committee to prepare a new financial framework for PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, aiming to address grievances within its administrative control.
Key facts
- Protesting group
- Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)
- Planned action
- Major announcement and fresh protests on August 13
- UN resolution cited
- Resolution of August 13, 1948 on Jammu and Kashmir, calling for Pakistani withdrawal and a plebiscite
- Central demands
- Ending privileges for politicians, judges, senior bureaucrats and contractors; transferring ownership of hydropower projects to the PoK government
- High Court judgment
- 2019 judgment cited for hydropower project ownership
- Unimplemented agreements
- Three written agreements signed between JAAC, the Kashmir (PoK) government and Pakistan over the past two years
- Pakistan's response
- High-level committee to prepare a National Finance Commission-style financial framework for PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan
- PoK elections
- Third-phase polling held in four seats; voting for seven of 11 seats postponed due to the law and order situation
Quotes
JAAC leaders
Kashmiri leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)
“On the 13th of August, we will make a new announcement in line with the UN resolution on Jammu Kashmir on August 13th, 1948. This UN resolution stipulated that Pakistan should withdraw its forces from PoK and then a plebiscite would take place.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Perhaps it will be a call for UN Peacekeeping Forces to replace the Pakistani Occupation Army.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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