Protests in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir Over Rising Rents and Electricity Prices
Residents and shopkeepers in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir have organized protests to express their frustration with the government’s inability to regulate rent and utility charges. Demonstrators accuse landlords of exploiting tenants by increasing rents without oversight. One protestor stated, ‘The government has lost control over rental prices. A landlord who currently charges 10,000 rupees can easily raise the rent to 20,000 rupees next year, and there’s no government mechanism to intervene.’
Protestors also voiced their grievances about electricity pricing, claiming that promised lower rates are not reaching the people. ‘If electricity is supposed to be cheaper, the benefits are not reaching the people,’ said one protestor. Additionally, officials from the electricity department are accused of taking away meters and ID cards under the guise of verifying usage.
The protestors highlighted corruption within the region’s bureaucracy, where officials allegedly demand bribes to perform their duties. ‘In this district headquarter, there are officials who demand large sums of money, drive official vehicles, and claim allowances for travel and daily expenses. However, if you ask them to perform their legitimate duties, they refuse unless you pay a bribe or make some arrangement,’ added the protestor.
These ongoing protests reflect the deepening dissatisfaction among residents of PoJK, who are calling for greater accountability and reform from their government. Traders and shopkeepers face numerous challenges, including political instability, limited market access, poor infrastructure, complex regulations, economic uncertainty, security concerns, and limited access to finance.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir -: This is a region that is controlled by Pakistan but is also claimed by India. It’s a part of the larger area of Jammu and Kashmir, which both countries have disputes over.
rents -: Rent is the money people pay to live in a house or use a shop that they do not own. When rents go up, it means people have to pay more money to stay in their homes or keep their shops.
electricity prices -: This is the amount of money people have to pay for using electricity in their homes or businesses. When electricity prices go up, it means they have to pay more money to use lights, fans, and other electrical items.
tenancy laws -: These are rules made by the government to protect people who rent homes or shops. They help make sure that landlords (the people who own the property) and tenants (the people who rent it) are treated fairly.
corruption -: Corruption means dishonest or illegal behavior by people in power, like government officials. It often involves taking money or favors in exchange for doing something wrong or unfair.
government accountability -: This means that the government is responsible for its actions and decisions. People want the government to be honest and to fix problems when they happen.
reform -: Reform means making changes to improve something. In this case, people want the government to change the rules and systems to make things better for everyone.
