Political Turmoil in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir Exposed

Unrest and Electoral Manipulation in PoJK

Muzaffarabad: Ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) has brought to light the political manipulation by Pakistan in the region. Recent electoral statistics released by the PoJK Election Commission indicate that there are 3,365,839 registered voters across 33 Assembly constituencies, averaging about 102,000 voters per constituency. However, a significant discrepancy is evident in the refugee constituencies, which the Joint Awami Action Committee has criticized. The number of voters in these constituencies varies dramatically, with figures ranging from a mere 3,346 to approximately 50,000, which is considerably lower than the average for regular constituencies.

One notable instance is LA-43 Valley, which has only 3,346 registered voters, primarily from Rawalpindi. This seat is currently held by Javed Butt, who was elected under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) banner but later distanced himself from the party, engaging in various political realignments. He has also held the position of Transport Minister in the PoJK government. Observers familiar with the political landscape in PoJK express concerns regarding the constituency arrangement, suggesting that these seats serve as a tool for Islamabad to exert influence and manipulate political outcomes in the region. Since the general elections in 2021, PoJK has experienced significant political turmoil, with Pakistan orchestrating shifts that led to the replacement of the region's Prime Minister four times.