‘Collapsed’: Roadblocks, internet blackout leave Pakistani Kashmir in limbo

For six weeks, the Poonch Division in Pakistan-administered Kashmir has endured a severe internet blackout and recurring road closures. The disruption began following government bans on the Joint Awami Action Committee, an alliance pushing for changes to legislative assembly seat allocations. While officials claim that life in the region has returned to normal, residents tell a different story of isolation and economic hardship.

Local families describe dangerous conditions. One resident, Zaheer Iqbal, had to physically carry his brother to a main road and scramble for fuel from neighbors just to reach a hospital during the height of the unrest. Hospitals in the area lack the capacity for major interventions, making timely transport to Islamabad essential. These logistical failures have turned minor medical emergencies into life-threatening ordeals.

The internet shutdown has paralyzed commerce and education. Business owners report significant revenue losses due to their inability to use digital payments or contact clients. Students are facing a wasted academic year because entrance examinations have been postponed indefinitely. Even basic mobile voice calls frequently fail, further isolating communities from vital services.

Public opinion on the protests is shifting. While many residents previously supported the movement for its focus on wheat subsidies and electricity costs, enthusiasm has waned as the committee expanded its demands to include constitutional seat reforms. Traders and professionals argue that these structural issues require parliamentary action rather than street blockades. Despite these concerns, local sentiment remains divided ahead of the upcoming legislative assembly elections.

Government officials maintain that internet access remains available for critical functions like banking and that travel restrictions are limited to small sections of the Poonch Division. However, the contrast between official reports and the daily reality faced by residents in Hajira and Muzaffarabad remains stark. As the region approaches elections, the long-term impact on the local economy and the academic future of its youth remains the primary concern for many families.