New Delhi: In a recent interview with the news agency ANI, human rights activist Arif Aajikia, a former member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) from Karachi, Pakistan, shed light on the critical issues plaguing Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Aajikia emphasized the erosion of human rights in the region, particularly focusing on the diminishing cultural, linguistic, and heritage aspects.
Aajikia stated, “The biggest thing in human rights is your culture, your food, your dress, your language, your heritage, which is being killed in PoK.” He highlighted the alarming situation in PoK, drawing attention to the lack of progress and prosperity in comparison to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The disparity becomes evident through social media, where residents of PoK witness the advancements and well-being in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting questions about the reasons behind their region’s lagging development.
Aajikia raised concerns about the paradoxical situation in which PoK, despite providing electricity to Punjab province in Pakistan, faces prolonged load shedding and some of the highest electricity rates. He also pointed out the hardships faced by PoK’s women in fetching water, despite the region supplying water to the entire country (Pakistan).
Comparing demographic changes, Aajikia highlighted the preservation of Kashmiri identity in Srinagar versus Muzzafarabad, where Punjabi influence dominates. He also expressed worries about the lack of educational institutions, inadequate infrastructure, and the absence of employment opportunities in PoK, leading to protests reflecting discontent among the populace.
Addressing Article 370, Aajikia stated that it is an internal matter of Bharat and emphasized that the unresolved issue lies in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan, both occupied by Pakistan. He questioned Pakistan’s actions in 1947, asserting that those involved were not Mujahids but terrorists engaged in atrocities against Kashmiri women.
Aajikia called for international attention to the situation in PoK, emphasizing that the issues of governance, human rights, and regional disparities need global awareness and intervention.
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