Student Protests in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Widen Into Anti-Government Unrest

Muzaffarabad: Student demonstrations over rising educational fees in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) have spiraled into a larger movement of anger against the Shehbaz Sharif government, exposing deep frustration among the region's youth over governance failures and living conditions.

The unrest began at a Muzaffarabad university, where students opposed fee hikes and a flawed e-marking system that led to unexpectedly low exam results. As the protests grew, intermediate students joined in, demanding the abolition of rechecking fees and better educational facilities.

Tensions escalated when an unidentified gunman opened fire on demonstrators, injuring a student. Viral videos showed panic among the crowd as police stood by, though the footage remains unverified. Protesters later set tyres ablaze and chanted slogans against the Pakistani government.

The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which previously led violent agitations over tax and subsidy issues, has now extended support to the students. The move has lent political weight to what began as a campus protest, transforming it into a broader expression of public anger in the region.

Beyond education, demonstrators are voicing grievances about crumbling infrastructure, poor healthcare, and lack of job opportunities. Analysts say the movement reflects a growing generation gap in Pakistan's politics, with Gen Z protesters increasingly rejecting traditional power structures dominated by political elites and the military.

The Sharif government and army chief Asim Munir face mounting pressure as discontent in POK mirrors similar youth-led uprisings across South Asia - from Bangladesh's student protests in 2024 to Sri Lanka's anti-corruption movement in 2022.

The latest agitation highlights an emerging pattern across the region: a generation unwilling to accept the status quo and demanding greater accountability from their leaders.