Seven Years Post Article 370: A Comparative Analysis of Jammu and Kashmir and PoJK
This article delves into the significant changes in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) seven years after the abrogation of Article 370. It highlights the improvements in security and stability in Jammu and Kashmir, as noted by human rights activist Tasleema Akhtar, while contrasting it with the ongoing unrest and restrictions in PoJK. The piece also addresses the concerns regarding violence against civilians in PoJK and the aspirations for peace and dignity for its residents. Read on to discover the full scope of these developments.
| Aug 4, 2026, 18:10 IST
Contrasting Situations in Jammu and Kashmir and PoJK
Seven years after the abrogation of Article 370, the differences between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) are stark. The Union Territory has witnessed significant stability and development, while PoJK continues to face unrest, restrictions, and frequent protests. Human rights activist Tasleema Akhtar noted that since the constitutional changes in August 2019, security conditions in the Union Territory have improved considerably.
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She emphasized that the removal of Article 370 has fostered a peaceful environment in Jammu and Kashmir, which they aim to maintain. Akhtar stated that the Indian government's decision has significantly curtailed local militancy, separatist activities, and stone-pelting incidents, allowing people to live their lives without the fear that once overshadowed their daily existence. She remarked that the government's primary objective was to safeguard the lives of the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, effectively dismantling the radical mechanisms of stone-pelting and local militancy. Today, parents no longer live in constant fear for their children's safety while attending school. People are able to live peacefully and sleep without anxiety. In contrast, Akhtar expressed concern over reports of violence against civilians in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
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She added that observing the events in PoJK reveals that ordinary citizens are being shot for demanding their rights and conducting peaceful protests. We are fortunate to live in safety and tranquility here, and we hope that the voices of the people in PoJK will be heard, granting them their rightful entitlements. We aspire for them to also live with peace and dignity.
Meanwhile, Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan, spokesperson for the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), accused the authorities in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir of imposing strict restrictions despite the growing anger among the populace regarding governance and economic conditions.