Protests In Parts of Muzaffarabad Force postponement of Ongoing Assembly Polls At One Seat
The second phase of polling for 12 assembly seats, in PoK, is underway in Muzaffarabad division, reserved for `Kashmiris refugees’ who left India after partition in 1947 and now residing in Pakistan. These refugees are living and voting in various parts of Pakistan, particularly Punjab province, rather than PoK. However, they control the 12 seats without giving local governance in the hands of those who are actually living in the region
New Delhi: Massive protests and roadblocks in parts of Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), forced the authorities to postpone the ongoing assembly polls at one seat. The election for the LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I seat, scheduled to be held on Sunday, was postponed to August 4 after protesters blocked the key roads and occupied the hills with huge boulders to be rolled on the roads to obstruct vehicular movement, making it difficult for Pakistan election authorities to carry out voting smoothly.
In Muzaffarabad, protesters forced the security forces to retreat, as demonstrators took to the streets and boycotted the “fake elections."
The second phase of polling for 12 assembly seats, in PoK, is underway in Muzaffarabad division, reserved for `Kashmiri refugees’ who left India after partition in 1947 and now residing in Pakistan. These refugees are living and voting in various parts of Pakistan, particularly Punjab province, rather than PoK. However, they control the 12 seats without giving local governance in the hands of those who are actually living in the region.
The PoK population is up in arms over these 12 reserved seats which does not give the locals an opportunity to represent their own region but are represented by politicians from other areas. Residents say the present system has reduced the political voice of people living in PoK even as they seek greater political autonomy and less interference from Islamabad in their local affairs. They have also sought fair distribution of resources including benefits from local hydropower projects and larger government reforms.
The Pakistan government maintains that these seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without an amendment in the constitution. Interestingly, the Pakistani government had in September 2025 even agreed to let local Kashmiris have a say in 12 PoK seats but then backed off leading a massive uproar.
People of PoK have also vociferously aired their grievances over electricity tariffs, rising food prices, governance and economic rights. They have also accused local governments of massive corruption and police repression. The third and final phase of the elections will be held in the Poonch division on August 10.
Meanwhile, Pakistan police started a crackdown on people who are sympathizing with Kashmiri protestors. Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad was arrested by Islamabad Police for showing solidarity with Kashmiris and leading a protest in Islamabad. Police also detained several protesters in Lahore during their rally in solidarity with PoK.
“In the past four days, the forces have martyred more than 50 of our people through brutal terrorism, and hundreds are injured -- in such circumstances, I am grateful on behalf of the Kashmiri nation to former Senator Mushtaq Khan Sahib and the Kashmiri and Pakistani brothers and sisters residing in Pakistan, who held a vibrant protest in Islamabad in support of us,” said Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri Member, Jammu Kashmir Joint People's Action Committee (JAAC), a banned organization in Pakistan.
Last week Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Asif labeled the protesters as enemies of the country and ruled out any negotiations with the JAAC. “There will be no dialogue with the protesters. I bracket them with India. I put them in the same category as India and consider them as enemies of Pakistan,” said Asif.
