Opinion | Basic facilities in PoK contrasted with J&K

In POK the absence of true political empowerment and sustained investment has left basic facilities underdeveloped and communities marginalized.

The everyday experiences of citizens in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and our Jammu and Kashmir reveal a sharp and widening contrast. At the heart of this contrast lies governance. Where one side reflects neglect, uncertainty, and systemic deprivation, the other demonstrates gradual but consistent progress rooted in institutional support, public investment, and political integration with a functioning democratic system. In Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, the crisis of basic facilities is not an occasional failure but a persistent condition. Access to safe drinking water remains unreliable in many areas, forcing residents to depend on natural streams or poorly maintained supply lines. Electricity supply is erratic despite the presence of large hydropower projects in the region, creating resentment among locals who see their natural resources benefit others while their own homes remain in darkness for long hours. Roads in many rural and mountainous areas are narrow, damaged, and unsafe, often cutting off entire communities during rains or snowfall. These infrastructural weaknesses directly affect access to markets, education, and emergency services, reinforcing cycles of poverty and isolation.

Healthcare in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir reflects similar neglect. Medical facilities are limited in number and poorly equipped. Many hospitals function without adequate doctors, diagnostic tools, or essential medicines. In remote areas, health centers exist largely in name, compelling patients to travel long distances for even basic treatment. For serious illnesses, residents often have no choice but to seek care outside the region, an option that is financially and logistically impossible for many families. This lack of reliable healthcare infrastructure has serious consequences, particularly for women, children, and the elderly. Education, which should be the foundation of social development, struggles under structural deficiencies. Numerous schools lack proper buildings, sanitation facilities, and qualified teachers. In some areas, classrooms operate in temporary or unsafe structures, discouraging attendance and increasing dropout rates. Higher education opportunities within Pakistan Occupied Kashmir are limited, forcing students to migrate if they can afford it or abandon their aspirations altogether. This educational stagnation restricts social mobility and perpetuates dependence on external support and remittances.

Underlying these challenges is a deeper political reality. Pakistan Occupied Kashmir does not enjoy genuine autonomy or constitutional clarity. Key decisions related to development, finances, and administration are often taken outside the region. Local institutions lack authority and resources, while accountability remains weak. This governance deficit has translated into poor planning, delayed projects, and widespread public dissatisfaction. Protests over electricity tariffs, unemployment, and lack of services have become frequent, reflecting growing frustration among the population.

In contrast, our Jammu and Kashmir presents a markedly different picture. Despite decades of conflict and difficult terrain, the region has witnessed sustained investment in infrastructure and public services. Roads and highways have expanded connectivity across districts, reducing travel time and improving access to markets and healthcare. The development of rail connectivity has further integrated the region with the rest of the country, strengthening economic and social links. Healthcare infrastructure in our Jammu and Kashmir has expanded significantly over the years. District hospitals, medical colleges, and community health centers serve both urban and rural populations. While challenges remain in remote areas, the availability of doctors, emergency services, and modern medical facilities is far greater than across the Line of Control. Government health schemes have improved affordability and access, ensuring that medical care is not limited to a privileged few.

Education has also seen substantial progress. Our Jammu and Kashmir has a wide network of schools, colleges, universities, and technical institutions. Government initiatives have focused on increasing enrolment, improving infrastructure, and expanding opportunities for higher and professional education. Students today have access to scholarships, skill development programs, and digital learning platforms that connect them to national and global opportunities. This investment in human capital is gradually transforming the social and economic landscape of the region. Electricity and water supply systems in our Jammu and Kashmir, while facing terrain related challenges, are comparatively stable and expanding. Power projects are aimed not only at generation but also at ensuring local consumption and long term sustainability. Urban centers and many rural areas benefit from regular water supply schemes, sanitation projects, and waste management initiatives that contribute to improved public health and living standards.The economic contrast is equally visible. Our Jammu and Kashmir has diversified economic activity including agriculture, horticulture, tourism, handicrafts, and small industries. Government support for apple growers, artisans, and entrepreneurs has strengthened local livelihoods. Tourism infrastructure development has created employment while promoting cultural exchange and regional growth. In Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, economic opportunities remain limited, with few industries and minimal private investment, forcing many young people to seek work outside the region.

What distinguishes these two trajectories is not geography or culture but governance and intent. India’s approach to Jammu and Kashmir has focused on integration, rights, and development. Democratic institutions, judicial oversight, and public accountability mechanisms provide a framework for addressing grievances and planning long term growth. Development may be gradual and imperfect, but it is structured and inclusive. In Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, the absence of true political empowerment and sustained investment has left basic facilities underdeveloped and communities marginalized. The region’s natural beauty and potential remain underutilized, not because of lack of resources, but due to administrative neglect and strategic indifference. The comparison between Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and our Jammu and Kashmir ultimately highlights a fundamental truth. Development is not merely about resources but about political will, institutional strength, and commitment to the welfare of people. Access to roads, hospitals, schools, electricity, and clean water determines dignity and opportunity in everyday life. On this measure, our Jammu and Kashmir continues to move forward despite challenges, while Pakistan Occupied Kashmir remains trapped in a cycle of deprivation and uncertainty.

India’s development-oriented approach in in its integral part Jammu and Kashmir demonstrates that progress is possible when governance is accountable and people are placed at the center of policy. (tahirkashmiri2025@gmail.com)