London [UK], December 15 (ANI): Political activist from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) Amjad Ayub Mirza has criticised the region’s governance as a “fraud” meant to mislead the international community.
In an interview with ANI, Mirza said PoJK displays the trappings of democracy— a Legislative Assembly, a Prime Minister, a President, a Supreme Court and an Inspector General of Police—yet none wield real authority.
“You see, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir has a Legislative Assembly, it has a Prime Minister, it has a President, it has a Supreme Court, it has an IG police. However, they are all spineless,” Mirza said, adding the Assembly cannot pass laws or appoint or transfer officials.
He said decision-making rests with Pakistan’s Prime Minister and the military establishment, rendering PoJK’s institutions symbolic and maintained to project an illusion of self-governance.
“This powerless Legislative Assembly is only there to show the world that Kashmiris have been given the right to govern. But how can you govern when you have no power?” he asked, calling the system “a hoax and a fraud.”
Mirza accused Islamabad of manipulating PoJK political leadership at will, citing the recent appointment of Prime Minister Faisal Rathore as an example. “They bring in a new Prime Minister whenever they want. This man has absolutely no power. He is just a puppet,” he said, adding that local people are aware of this reality.
He highlighted economic distress after the suspension of trade with India following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Mirza said when former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan halted trade across the Line of Control in protest, the cost was borne by PoJK residents.
“Cheap pulses, vegetables, wheat and sugar used to come from Indian Jammu and Kashmir. Compared to Pakistan, commodities were more affordable here. Now people are angry and frustrated,” he said.
Public anger, he added, has led to repeated protests and general strikes organised by the Joint Awami Action Committee as shortages and inflation worsen.
Mirza also accused Pakistan and its military of systematically exploiting PoJK’s natural resources—rivers, forests and minerals. “Pakistan controls our rivers, forests and rare earth minerals. Every day, trucks loaded with wood, coal and other minerals are smuggled into Pakistan,” he alleged, saying no one is allowed to question the extraction.
Drawing a comparison with Jammu and Kashmir, Mirza said the fundamental difference lies in how the regions are treated. (ANI)
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