Pakistan administered Kashmir faces internet shutdown amidst protests
People in Azad Kashmir protests high wheat prices, electricity bills
Originally published on Global Voices
Primary school students attending an outdoor lecture at Government Primary School Jumber, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Image by Abdul Moueed via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0.
From May 8–14, 2024, Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir witnessed significant unrest, with daily life profoundly impacted by the violent suppression of protests by Pakistani security forces. On May 12, a mobile internet service shutdown was imposed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in response to a protest organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a coalition of civil rights groups, demonstrating against rising electricity prices, flour subsidies, and other issues. One police officer and three protesters were killed during clashes with the paramilitary rangers while hundreds were injured.
During the 2024 general elections in Pakistan, a mobile services ban and internet shutdown was enforced, and the subsequent ban on X (formerly known as Twitter) and VPNs persisted for an indefinite period.
As the protests intensified in May, access to the internet was restricted. People began tweeting against the shutdown in various areas on Platform X, condemning the government for silencing their voices. Azhar Ahmed, a Kashmiri, tweeted about announcements being made through the pulpits of mosques:
After the shutdown of mobile networks and the internet, announcements are being made using Mosque loudspeakers to facilitate communication.
#RightsMovementAJK pic.twitter.com/Z1cXfQZgMm— Azhar Ahmed (@ahm3d711) May 12, 2024
The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) UK Chapter tweeted about the internet being shut down for several days:
Internet remains suspended in Pak-held Jammu Kashmir. It is the main method for millions of overseas Kashmiris to contact their loved ones at home.
Despite this week's events, the AJK & Islamabad administrations continue to use repressive tactics. Shameful.#RightsMovementAJK pic.twitter.com/Qjb2fD41w1
— JKLF UK MEDIA CELL (@JklfUk) May 15, 2024
NetBlocks, an internet observatory, confirmed the internet disruption:
Update: Network data show that the internet disruption in Azad Kashmir, #Pakistan, is ongoing as authorities crack down on protests amid reports of rising casualties; service was briefly restored during negotiations on Monday but shut down again after deadly clashes pic.twitter.com/Y7yduOAiiE
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) May 14, 2024
After five days, the internet was restored once the protests were called off.
In light of the protests and violence in AJK, Ahmed Farhad Shah, a poet and journalist from AJK residing in Islamabad, was highly critical of the government and military on social media. He mysteriously disappeared from his house, allegedly taken by Pakistan intelligence agencies. His wife has reached out to the Islamabad High Court to secure his safe return. On May 20, the court ordered the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence to explain the allegations.
What happened in AJK
Kashmir, a Himalayan region claimed in full by both Pakistan and India, has been the battleground for multiple wars between the countries since their independence from British colonial rule in 1947. Pakistan-administered Kashmir, locally known as Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), has a population of over 4.36 million and a semiautonomous government led by its own prime minister.
Disputed Himalayan region with territorial claims by Pakistan, India and China. Image by PlaneMad via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0.
People in AJK have been protesting since May 2023 against a massive wheat crisis, increased prices of flour, rising electricity rates and the end of “luxuries” for the elite class, among other issues. In February 2024, the Pakistan government accepted accepted nine out of ten demands, but despite assurances, they were not fulfilled, leading to the recent protests.
JAAC had announced plans to hold protests and march towards Muzaffarabad, the capital of AJK, from different parts of the state, but the government initiated a crackdown and arrested 70 activists. Clashes soon broke out between the police and the public, resulting in the death of one police officer and many injuries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the situation and approved an immediate provision of PKR 23 billion (USD 82.5 million), but this did not pacify the protesters. While the rangers were preparing to leave AJK after the announcement, a charged crowd pelted stones and set their vehicles ablaze, leading to another round of clashes. Three people were killed, and six were injured due to the rangers’ retaliation.
AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq termed the subsidy package a “gift” from the government and alleged that neighbor India, Pakistan's arch-rival, tried to create chaos in AJK but did not succeed. The senior leadership of JAAC is still keeping all options open until they are convinced that their demands have been met.
In 2019, India raised taxes on AJK exports to 200 percent, and after the Indian cancellation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which provided special autonomy to Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, all trade was suspended by Pakistan, severely impacting the local economy.
Protests across Pakistan
AJK is not the only area in Pakistan witnessing such protests related to the economy. People in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have been protesting since January 2024 against the decision to increase the subsidized wheat price and other grievances.
Jamil Nagri, a journalist, tweeted that the state should learn from history:
Massive protest in Gilgit-Baltistan goes unnoticed. If the demands are genuine, then authorities should not be reluctant to respond to them, the denial of rights always caused big challenges, learn from history! pic.twitter.com/D0rJJ56T0S
— Jamil Nagri (@jamilnagri) January 27, 2024
Recently, a few people from GB were protesting outside the National Press Club in the capital Islamabad against the government leasing out rest houses and guest houses to Green Tourism Company.
Strongly condemned the recent arrest of GB activists by Islamabad police at National Press Club who were peacefully protesting against the leasing of rest houses and guest houses by the GB government to Green Tourism Company Pvt Ltd.#SaveGilgitBaltistan
— Kamran Wazir (@Kamran_wazeer) May 19, 2024
There is not much media coverage of these events; people are using social media platforms to raise their voices against the injustices carried out by the state.
Pakistan is facing ongoing economic crisis since 2022 and has sought renewed assistance from the International Monetary Fund amidst rising inflation.