Pakistan-occupied Kashmir observes general strike
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Islamabad (PTI): A general strike was observed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Monday on the call of a local action group, demanding relief for the masses and transparency in the government system, according to media reports.
The protest call was given by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), represented by traders, local leaders and civil society activists.
The protest began two years ago to secure a regular and subsidised supply of flour and electricity in the region, but has now been joined by additional demands such as the reduction in privileges enjoyed by the Kashmiri elite, abolition of reserved assembly seats and free education and health facilities.
The JKJAAC alleges that the fresh protest is being held this time because the government has failed to fully implement the agreement reached two years ago.
Samaa TV reported that markets, transport, and even communication services were disrupted amid growing public frustration over unmet demands. It added that markets, commercial centres, and lorry depots across Muzaffarabad were shuttered, with transport completely absent from the roads.
Hotels and shops that normally open early remained closed. Although schools were officially open, classrooms were empty as most students did not attend.
The channel also reported that for the second consecutive day, internet and mobile phone services remained suspended across PoK.
In an unprecedented move, landline telephone services were also completely cut off, further isolating residents from the outside world.
The protestors put forward a 38-point charter of demands. Among the key demands are an end to the 12 reserved seats for refugees and the rollback of privileges enjoyed by the elite.
Other demands include construction of several road projects, relief in taxes, subsidy on flour and electricity, end of job quotas for refugees, reform in the judiciary and several other demands of local nature.
AAJ News channel reported that the strike succeeded in getting support from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of Imran Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023.
The protest committee not only held talks with a negotiation team formed by the government of PoK, but also representatives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from the federal government. They, however, failed to reach a consensus.
The local government spokesman, Irfan Ashraf, said the region is peaceful and that people are engaged in their daily activities. He said that the government has initiated a negotiation process and added that the public is growing weary of strikes and roadblocks.
Earlier, the government deployed additional police and Rangers in Muzaffarabad and other districts to manage the situation, with nearly 3,000 Islamabad police personnel already stationed in the region, according AAJ TV.
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At UN, India flags concerns over targeting of vessels in Strait of Hormuz
United Nations (PTI): Targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable", India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Parvathaneni Harish has said.
Harish's remarks at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on safeguarding energy and supply flows came days after an India-flagged commercial vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman.
Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members of the vessel sailing from Somalia, but it was not immediately known who carried out the strike.
In a post on X on Sunday, Harish said that at the UNECOSOC meeting, he shared India's approach to the recent energy and fertiliser crisis caused by the West Asia conflict.
"A combination of short-term and structural measures alongside international cooperation are essential to respond to the crisis," he said.
"Reiterated that targeting of commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, are unacceptable. International law in this regard must be fully respected," he added.
The attack on the India-flagged vessel on May 13 took place amid the fragile situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway close to the coast of Oman through which roughly one-fifth of the world's energy supplies pass.
It has been severely disrupted by the conflict in West Asia that started on February 28, with the US and Israel launching joint attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes.
Earlier, India had described the attack as "unacceptable".
At least two other Indian-flagged ships have been attacked since the conflict broke out.
According to the UNECOSOC website, the meeting, which took place on Friday, focused on “Safeguarding energy and supply flows: Supporting global development through international cooperation”.
