The Shehbaz Sharif government is making every effort to resolve the unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK). A committee of ministers and leaders has been sent to PoK to negotiate a settlement. Shehbaz himself has stated that he will personally address the situation and has also instructed the army to take action.
Amidst the governmental measures, the question arises whether the unrest in PoK will cease. Let’s examine the details.
**Why is unrest occurring in PoK?**
The Pakistan Kashmir Public Action Committee is protesting over 38 demands. The committee is demanding the abolition of the 12 seats reserved for migrants in the PoK assembly. They are also demanding an end to the VIP culture for leaders.
There are two key reasons for the demands. The first is that the PoK assembly has a total of 53 seats, with 27 needed to form a government. The 12 reserved seats for migrants are therefore very important. These reserved seats often determine which party controls PoK.
Pakistani government initiatives often reach PoK slowly. Being located on the border with India, PoK is frequently unstable. The lives of the people there are very difficult.
**Will the unrest in PoK end?**
It does not appear likely at present. According to Shaukat Nawaz Mir of the Action Committee, protests will continue until their demands are met. Protesters have begun demonstrating with corpses in the capital of Muzaffarabad.
Meanwhile, leaders of the migrant community have stated that they were given these seats when they came from India during the partition. If these seats are taken away, they will protest separately.
According to 2017 figures, the migrant population in Pakistan-administered Kashmir is 2.5 million. The original inhabitants number 2.7 million. This puts the Pakistani government in a difficult position.
