Pakistan’s Kashmir Paradox: Self-Determination for some, suppression for others

Unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), also called Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), exposes a core contradiction in Islamabad’s decades-long Kashmir policy. While Pakistan claims to defend Kashmiri rights internationally, realities in the territory it controls are far less flattering. The recent crackdown shows this divide. Authorities have cut all mobile, internet, and landline services across AJK. Paramilitary forces now patrol the region to stop protests led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The protesters demand lower taxes and more autonomy.

At least nine people have been killed in recent clashes. The crisis spread beyond the region when Islamabad police raided the National Press Club, beating and injuring journalists and Kashmiri activists in an attempt to silence solidarity gatherings. The political shock waves of this approach are now being felt in London. In a letter dated 30 September 2025, Imran Hussain MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir, urged the UK Government to press Pakistan for de-escalation, restoration of communications, and meaningful dialogue.

Hussain’s intervention matters because it reflects growing unease in the British Parliament about Islamabad’s management of its administered territories. The UK, with its large Kashmiri diaspora, has often been a stage for narratives about Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir; this time, the focus has shifted.

Why Pakistan Represses Protests in AJK

Three dynamics explain Islamabad’s heavy-handedness:

Fragile Sovereignty

Although Pakistan refers to AJK as “Azad” (free), the territory operates under tight federal control. Absolute authority lies not with the local legislative assembly but with Islamabad’s ministries and the security establishment. Protests demanding lower taxes or better services are interpreted not simply as economic grievances, but as implicit challenges to Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Economic Dependence

AJK’s economy remains heavily dependent on subsidies from Pakistan. With Islamabad itself in a financial crisis, the federal government has little capacity to meet demands for relief. Instead, it has relied on coercion to suppress discontent, reinforcing the perception that AJK is governed as a client territory rather than an autonomous entity.

Narrative Contradiction

For decades, Pakistan’s international stance has centred on criticising India’s policies in Jammu and Kashmir. Public acknowledgement of repression within AJK would undermine this narrative.As a result, dissent is managed through blackouts, arrests, and media restrictions, making it harder for international observers to assess the situation.

India’s Contrasting Trajectory

The contrast with India-administered Jammu and Kashmir is stark. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, India has pursued integration—a move that is controversial domestically yet effective in enhancing state capacity. Infrastructure projects, investment drives, and a tourism revival have followed. Srinagar hosted a G20 meeting in 2023, signalling international recognition of India’s approach. While security incidents persist, the broader trend is towards normalisation. AJK, by contrast, is politically restricted and economically stagnant—lack of development and growing demands for accountability force Islamabad to use repression to maintain control.

Why the West Has Been Slow to React

Despite these realities, Pakistan’s treatment of AJK rarely dominates international headlines. There are several reasons: Islamabad frames Kashmir only as an issue of Indian sovereignty, distracting attention from how it governs AJK. Pakistani authorities block journalists and NGOs from AJK, so independent reports of abuses rarely emerge. Diaspora Politics: In countries like the UK, most Kashmiris in the diaspora have roots in AJK. However, political debates tend to focus on India’s role and often ignore how Pakistan governs the region.

What Comes Next

The protests and crackdown prove that Pakistan’s grip on AJK is weak. Ruling by force rather than reform will only fuel more unrest. If protests grow, Islamabad’s whole Kashmir strategy could collapse. Letters such as Imran Hussain’s show that Western capitals are starting to register this shift. For the UK and other international actors, the primary concern is the human rights of those affected by the blackout. But the longer-term challenge is recognising that the Kashmir question is not only about India’s policies. It is also about Pakistan’s accountability to the people living under its control.