On Pakistan’s Independence Day, whereas residents in main cities like Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi marked the event with celebrations, a markedly totally different image emerged from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the place anti-army and anti-government slogans resonated via the streets. A number of of those slogans have been aimed straight at Pakistan Military Chief Basic Asim Munir and have been echoing in PoK’s cities and villages for the previous 24 hours.
In as we speak’s DNA, we analyzed the evolving state of affairs in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Balochistan, the place Independence Day has sparked widespread protests towards army dominance and calls for for freedom.
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Visuals from the area present protesters, together with youngsters, chanting pointed slogans asking when the folks of Pakistan would acquire freedom from the army. One slogan referenced “Kasheer Desh,” an area expression for Kashmir, highlighting a rising sentiment amongst sections of PoK’s inhabitants for freedom from Pakistan and integration with Jammu and Kashmir. Protesters allege that the Pakistani Military has saved PoK’s inhabitants beneath its boots for many years, suppressing dissent and denying rights.
The slogans, raised particularly on Pakistan’s Independence Day, additionally referred to Munir’s latest journey to america. Protesters accused the military chief of creating lofty claims overseas whereas ignoring the bottom realities in PoK, which, they are saying, the folks, even youngsters, clearly perceive.
Protest In Balochistan
In Balochistan, the day was additionally noticed with demonstrations. Right here, too, Independence Day introduced shows of discontent, with protesters waving black flags. The province has lengthy seen calls for for freedom from Pakistan. Protesters and activists declare that the area suffers from sustained army oppression, the place those that communicate towards the military or authorities face the chance of being forcibly disappeared.
Baloch chief Mir Yar Baloch posted on social media, declaring that the “Republic of Balochistan” rejects Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Critics from each PoK and Balochistan argue that Pakistan continues to be “shackled” not by colonial powers, however by poverty, starvation, unemployment, and, above all, army dominance. They level out that though Pakistan adopted democracy after independence, no prime minister has ever accomplished a full five-year time period, with the army seen as the last word authority. At the moment, they are saying, whereas Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is the nominal head of presidency, actual energy rests with Basic Asim Munir, beneath whose path nationwide selections are made. Protesters assert that real freedom for Pakistan’s folks will solely come when these “chains of slavery” are damaged.