Pakistan forced to withdraw 15th Amendment bill amid intense protests in PoK

Islamabad, Aug 29: After several protests from the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, the Pakistan government withdrew the 15th Constitutional Amendment bill to the Interim Constitution of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), thus failing in its 24th attempt to provide provincial status to PoK.

 

The amendment seeks to alter the constitutional status of the region as it will transfer the financial and administrative powers of the local government to Islamabad. Eventually, this amendment is a conspiracy to wipe off the identity of PoK.

 

The proposed draft of the 15th amendment had terms 'State' that 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.

 

 

Such attempt was heavily criticized by PoK people which prompted protests against the 15th Amendment and oppressive taxes that spread like wildfire across the area.

 

Local reports claim Kashmiris have been long-suspicious about Islamabad's intentions to exploit vast reserves of natural resources the region has. There have been repeated allegations that the Pakistan state exploits the rich forest, mining, and water resources in PoK while the Kashmiri people do not get any benefit.