Protest in Muzaffarabad: Shopkeepers Demand Fair Rent from PoJK Government
In Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, local leaders and tenant shopkeepers organized a protest against the authorities for increasing shop rents and sealing them due to non-payment of the new rates. The protest was led by Shaukat Nawaz Mir from the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC).
Shaukat Nawaz Mir stated, “The issue behind the protest is the ongoing problem between shopkeepers and the state government related to rent. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed that rent should be set according to market prices. However, they are charging different rents for different shops–PKR 18,000 from one shop and PKR 26,000 from another. The land belongs to the government, but they are setting the rent according to their preferences. All we are asking is to pay rent according to the Supreme Court’s directions. Why are they not following the Supreme Court’s directive?”
Shaukat accused the administration of misusing the act. He further added, “The Supreme Court has ordered them to collect taxes according to its guidelines. They are misusing the Act. The Court mandated fair rent, not exorbitant rates. They have misinterpreted the SC’s direction and are treating the public unfairly by closing their shops for non-payment. If anything happens to the sellers, the government will be held responsible.”
Angered by the government order, a resident commented, “All these shops were closed unexpectedly with no prior notice, and rents were increased by 6 per cent. These shops mostly belong to meat, vegetable, and fruit sellers, and their main source of income depends on this business. If these actions continue, how will we survive?”
Another resident also said that it was promised by the PoJK government earlier that permanent shops would be provided in good condition, but this promise has not yet been fulfilled. A rent increase has also been imposed, leaving uncertainty about how survival will be managed. The significant concern of taking care of families is also being faced.
Doubts Revealed
Muzaffarabad -: Muzaffarabad is a city in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It is the capital of this region.
PoJK -: PoJK stands for Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It is a part of the larger region of Jammu and Kashmir, which is disputed between India and Pakistan.
Shaukat Nawaz Mir -: Shaukat Nawaz Mir is a local leader in Muzaffarabad. He is part of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, which is a group that fights for people’s rights.
Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee -: This is a group of people in Jammu and Kashmir who work together to make sure the government treats everyone fairly. They help organize protests and speak up for the community.
PoJK Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq -: Anwar-ul-Haq is the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He is the leader of the government in that region.
Supreme Court guidelines -: These are rules made by the highest court in a country. In this case, it refers to rules about how much rent shopkeepers should pay.
livelihoods -: Livelihoods mean the way people earn money to live. For shopkeepers, their shops are their livelihoods because they make money by selling things.
