Pakistan's position on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has come under renewed challenge after a prominent leader of the region's ongoing protest movement publicly dismissed Islamabad's long-held stance during a large gathering in Rawalakot.
Thousands assembled at Eidgah Ground where movement leader Sardar Aman Khan asserted that the territory could not be described as either "Azad" or "disputed", instead characterising it as occupied.
"This is not a disputed territory... this is an occupied territory... it has been occupied," he said, prompting loud applause and chants from the crowd.
His remarks come against the backdrop of demonstrations that have continued in Rawalakot for more than 40 days, with protesters accusing Pakistani authorities of deepening hardships across the region.
Khan further claimed that the supply of food and medicines had been cut off for the past three weeks, alleging that the restrictions had triggered a humanitarian crisis. He also appealed for support from people living across the Line of Control as well as from India.
The agitation has already claimed lives. A day earlier, six civilians were killed after Pakistani forces allegedly opened fire during clashes.
Those killed in the Baloch Sadhunati district included Zahid Mughal, Zafar Mughal, Arsalan Akbar and Wajid Hayat, who was killed at the Matial Mira Bus Terminal in Rawalokot.
Earlier this month, thousands of demonstrators gathered near the Line of Control, maintaining that PoK was not part of Pakistan.
During one of those protests, Khan told supporters that continued restrictions on food and other essential supplies could compel people in the region to seek assistance from India.
Addressing the latest rally, Khan asked those present whether they should march towards the Line of Control. The gathering answered with repeated chants of, "Move towards it."
Khan also maintained that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was not a part of Pakistan and argued that Pakistan relied on the region more than the region relied on Pakistan.
India, meanwhile, criticised Pakistan over the developments in PoK. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said the ongoing unrest stemmed from "systematic exploitation".
"The ongoing protests in PoJK are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades-long systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation," said Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.
The ministry also accused Pakistan of preventing the movement of essential supplies, using excessive police force and imposing internet blackouts.
"Rather than addressing the legitimate grievances of the local populace, the Pakistani state has responded with extreme police brutality, including against helpless women and children, blocking essential supplies, including food and medicine, enforcing internet blackouts, and deploying lethal force against unarmed civilians that has resulted in tragic fatalities," he said.
India added that the international community should hold Pakistan accountable for its crackdown on civilians.
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