#PoK Burning? Massive protests erupt against Pakistan's plans to alter constitutional status

Muzaffarabad, Aug 13: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is witnessing massive protests against the Pakistan government's proposed move to implement the 15th Amendment, which seeks to alter the constitutional status of the region. It will transfer the financial and administrative powers of the local government to Islamabad. This amendment is a conspiracy to wipe off the identity of PoK. 

 

 

Thousands of people were seen shouting pro-Independence slogans hitting streets in the PoK capital against the proposed move which they see as an attempt to curtail the regional government's powers. The citizens of all 10 districts of the region are infuriated at the government's move. These protests have taken a turn for the worse in Rawalakot, Bagh, Poonch, Muzaffarabad, and Neelum Valley among other areas of PoK.

 

Recently, Shabir Choudhry, an activist from the region of Pakistan is eyeing to control the region's natural resources and urged the people to raise their voices against this "naked aggression and imperialism" where all is controlled by the Pakistani army and country's property tycoons.

 

 

"Pakistan wants to conclude its imperialist and strategic game plan which it started in October 1947. This imperialist agenda began in name of Islam, and the captured prey shall be slaughtered with the 'Islamic touch'," Choudhry said. He said that Pakistan is using Islam to camouflage its imperialist agenda. Since October 22, 1947, the activist noted that people of PoK are living in the false sense of being independent or liberated.

 

 

"Right from childhood, our children through social, educational, economic, and cultural mechanisms are brainwashed or educated on how to be a good slave of Pakistan," he said while slamming Pakistan for manipulating the people of the PoK region. "

 

The proposed draft of the 15th amendment shows that the terms 'State' will be replaced with 'Azad Jammu Kashmir' and the mention of United Nations' is going to be replaced with the words 'subject to recognition' from the so-called 1974 interim constitution of PoJK.

 

 

Kashmir Council will be revived which will include six members from the PoJK legislative assembly and seven from Pakistan. It will include the Prime Minister, Defense and Foreign ministers of Pakistan and, will be headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Council will have the power to collect taxes and present its own budget. Property worth Rs 80 billion in Pakistan which belongs to PoJK will be brought under the Kashmir Property Council and PoJK will have no powers over its sale or to preserve it.

 

The Prime Minister of Pakistan will have the right to directly appoint the Chief Justice, High and Supreme Court judges as well as the Chief Election Commissioner of PoK, and appointments made by the PM would not be allowed to be challenged in the courts. All financial powers will be transferred from the government of PoJK to Pakistan thus practically degrading PoJK to the level of a provincial entity.

 

This will be the 24th attempt of the Pakistan government to determine the constitutional status of the region, in the last 75 years.