Opinion | PoJK Turmoil : The Cost on Women and Children

For decades, Pakistan has projected Kashmir as a matter of national importance and international diplomacy. However, the situation in the areas under its administration raises serious questions about the gap between political rhetoric and the everyday experiences of the people. The people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir deserve more than symbolic promises.

The turmoil in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is not merely a political dispute or a question of territorial control. Behind the slogans, restrictions, political confrontations and recurring unrest lies a much more painful reality: the suffering of ordinary people, particularly women and children. While political establishments may measure their success through control, influence and strategic interests, the people living in the region continue to bear the consequences of policies that have failed to deliver lasting peace, dignity and prosperity. For decades, Pakistan has projected Kashmir as a matter of national importance and international diplomacy. However, the situation in the areas under its administration raises serious questions about the gap between political rhetoric and the everyday experiences of the people. The people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir deserve more than symbolic promises. They deserve accountable governance, economic opportunities, freedom of expression and institutions that genuinely represent their aspirations. The unrest witnessed in May 2024 exposed the depth of public frustration. Thousands of residents took to the streets under the banner of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, demanding affordable electricity, subsidized flour and an end to privileges enjoyed by political and administrative elites. What began as a movement for basic economic relief escalated into violent clashes? Four people, including a police officer, lost their lives, while many others were injured. The government eventually accepted the protesters’ demands and announced relief measures. This episode demonstrated that the grievances of the population could no longer be dismissed as isolated political agitation. They were rooted in genuine economic hardship and a demand for accountable governance.

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But the greatest cost of such instability is often paid by those who have the least influence over political decisions. Women, children and economically vulnerable families are particularly exposed to the consequences of prolonged uncertainty. When markets close, transport services are disrupted and household incomes decline; women frequently shoulder the additional responsibility of managing families with fewer resources. In areas where employment opportunities are already limited, economic instability can deepen women’s dependence and restrict their access to education, healthcare and independent livelihoods.Women in these territories also face wider structural challenges. Freedom House has highlighted economic discrimination, harmful customary practices, weak enforcement of protections against domestic violence and limited opportunities for women. Such problems cannot be addressed through political statements alone. They require functioning institutions, accessible justice, investment in education and meaningful participation of women in decision-making.

For children, the consequences can be even more enduring. A child growing up in an atmosphere of political confrontation, uncertainty and economic insecurity is deprived of much more than material comfort. Disrupted schooling, reduced household income, inadequate healthcare and the anxiety experienced by parents can affect a child’s emotional and intellectual development. In remote mountainous areas, where access to schools and medical facilities is already difficult, administrative neglect and inadequate investment can make these difficulties considerably worse. The situation in Gilgit-Baltistan also deserves attention. Its geographical isolation, harsh winters and inadequate healthcare infrastructure create additional challenges for women and children. A submission placed before the UN Human Rights Council in 2025 highlighted shortages of medical personnel, difficulties in accessing maternal healthcare and interruptions in essential immunization services in parts of the region. Such circumstances raise an important question: why should communities living in strategically important territories continue to struggle for basic public services?

Another disturbing aspect of the prevailing situation is the treatment of dissent. In a democratic society, peaceful protest should be regarded as a legitimate means through which citizens communicate their grievances. Yet, Freedom House documented arrests, internet restrictions and the use of force during the 2024 protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It also reported restrictions on political activities that challenge Pakistan’s official position on Kashmir. The reported injury of schoolgirls when tear-gas shells landed near a school illustrates how political confrontations can expose innocent children to danger. The fundamental weakness of Pakistan’s Kashmir policy is that it has too often placed political symbolism and strategic considerations above the everyday needs of the population. A region cannot prosper merely by being repeatedly described as politically significant. Its people need reliable electricity, affordable food, quality schools, properly equipped hospitals, employment opportunities and the freedom to express their concerns without fear of intimidation.

It is equally important to recognise that criticism of government policies is not hostility towards the people of Pakistan or the residents of these territories. On the contrary, it is an expression of concern for the rights and dignity of ordinary Kashmiris. The people of these areas should not be reduced to instruments of competing political narratives. Their aspirations deserve to be heard independently and respectfully. Pakistan’s responsibility, as the administering authority, should be reflected in transparent governance, protection of civil liberties, equitable development and accountability for human rights violations. Women must have meaningful opportunities in public life, girls must be able to pursue education without discrimination, and children must be protected from the consequences of political violence and administrative failure.

Ultimately, the real measure of any government’s commitment to Kashmir should not be the strength of its political slogans but the quality of life it provides to the people. The women who struggle to sustain their families, the mothers who worry about their children’s future and the young students who aspire to a better tomorrow deserve more than promises. Kashmir’s future cannot be secured by controlling its narrative while overlooking the suffering of its people. Peace, dignity and prosperity must begin with the protection of human lives, particularly those of women and children. Their rights are not political concessions; they are fundamental obligations.

Author can be reached at Email : syedjahanzeb2@gmail.com