The All Parties Coordination Committee Rawalakot has issued a bold 16-point Charter of Demands, setting a deadline of December 9 for the occupied-government to address their concerns. In defiance of the Paki establishment’s authoritarian policies in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), the committee has called for region-wide protests on December 10, International Human Rights Day, and announced plans to mobilize demonstrations abroad. The demands underscore growing public anger against the Paki establishment’s exploitative control over the region and its repressive governance.
At the forefront of the demands is the immediate dissolution of the puppet assembly by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar Haq and his resignation to pave the way for democratic reforms. The committee has called for the establishment of an independent and impartial Election Commission to conduct elections for a truly representative and empowered Constituent Assembly, seeking to replace the current colonial governance model imposed by Islamabad.
Abolishing the draconian Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Ordinance 2024 has been prioritized, branding it a “black law” designed to stifle dissent and silence the people’s voice. The committee has also demanded swift action against religious extremist groups, including filing FIRs against those who brandished weapons in Rawalakot on September 13, 2024, terrorizing the public under the Pak Army’s watch.
PoJK Uprising
In a scathing indictment of the Paki security apparatus, the charter calls for legal action against ISI sector commanders, Rangers officials, and key figures for their role in the brutal killing of three young men on May 13, 2024. The bloodshed, perpetrated to suppress voices advocating for basic rights, remains a dark stain on Islamabad’s reign over PoJK.
The demands also address systemic issues of resource exploitation and economic disenfranchisement. The committee has urged the repeal of the exploitative Karachi Agreement and Act 1974, demanding the return of Lent officers who represent Islamabad’s chokehold over PoJK’s administration. It has also called for the abolition of 12 legislative seats reserved for refugees from POJK in Pakistan, terming them a “robbery” on the region’s representation and economy, used to manipulate governance at Pakistan’s imperial will.
On economic fronts, the committee has demanded the establishment of a national grid station to prioritize local energy needs, with any surplus electricity to be exported only with agreements favoring the local population. Flour mills and wheat distribution systems must be placed under state control to combat corruption, ensuring affordable food access for all. Furthermore, PoJK-based banks must reinvest a quarter of their deposits locally to foster agriculture, tourism, and industry development.
Rawalakot Demands Justice
The charter also opposes the Army’s plan to seize lands in the name of “green tourism,” calling it a blatant ploy to expand military dominance in civilian areas. Instead, the committee insists on developing infrastructure to facilitate foreign tourism, including activating airports at divisional headquarters and prioritizing local industries and employment creation using remittances from the Kashmiri diaspora.
The final points call for the reinstatement of democratic rights, including elections for student unions and the right for workers across all departments to form trade unions.
These demands highlight the widespread discontent in PoJK, where the Paki establishment’s exploitative policies have systematically stripped the region of its resources, autonomy, and identity. The introduction of oppressive ordinances and the suppression of dissent through violence reflect Islamabad’s colonial mindset, seeking to tighten its grip over PoJK while ignoring the fundamental rights of its people.