PoK Protests Intensify as Schoolchildren Lead Anti-Pakistan Slogans From Frontlines

Protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) entered their 14th consecutive day on Monday, with schoolchildren and women joining large-scale demonstrations demanding greater rights and an end to what protesters describe as Pakistan's occupation of the region. The movement has gained momentum across several districts, with thousands continuing a sit-in at Rawalakot's Eidgah Ground. Demonstrators have raised concerns over political rights, economic conditions, internet restrictions and the growing role of security forces in the region.

At the main protest site in Rawalakot, organisers claimed that more than 70,000 people have participated in the ongoing sit-in over the past 11 days. Among the most striking developments has been the participation of schoolchildren carrying placards and chanting slogans calling for freedom, better educational opportunities and international attention to their grievances. Protesters also displayed messages alleging human rights violations and restrictions on access to essential services.

The demonstrations have expanded beyond Rawalakot into several towns and villages. In Tarar Khel in Sudhnoti district, groups of students gathered in public spaces to express support for the movement. In Mandhole, hundreds of women marched through the area, raising slogans and voicing opposition to Pakistani authorities and security forces. The participation of women and younger protesters has added a new dimension to the movement and increased its visibility across the region.

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Addressing a gathering at Eidgah Ground, senior protest organiser Sardar Aman Khan warned that public anger was continuing to grow. He accused Pakistani authorities of suppressing the aspirations of local residents and said the movement would intensify if demands were not addressed. Khan also referenced Pakistan's history of dealing with ethnic and regional movements, arguing that continued pressure from authorities could further deepen unrest in the region.

The protests are being coordinated by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), which has submitted a charter containing 38 demands to the Pakistani government. AAC leaders have set June 23 as the deadline for a response and have threatened to organise a march involving more than 100,000 people from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad if their demands remain unmet. Organisers say the proposed march would represent the next phase of the movement and significantly increase pressure on authorities.

The unrest has coincided with reports of internet disruptions and restrictions on the movement of goods into parts of the region. Activists claim internet services have remained suspended since early June and allege that food supplies have been affected by restrictions on transport routes. According to protest organisers, clashes between demonstrators and security forces have resulted in dozens of deaths since the agitation began. With the AAC's deadline approaching, tensions remain high as both sides prepare for what could be a critical stage in the ongoing standoff.

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