Dhaka, January 8: Pakistan’s annual rhetoric on the right to self-determination is a selective distortion of history, designed to divert attention from the unresolved crises in its own occupied territories, a new report reveals. True self-determination isn’t measured by Islamabad’s proclamations but by how people live their daily lives and participate in public affairs.
Every January 5, Pakistan observes ‘Right to Self-Determination Day,’ reiterating its claim over India’s Jammu and Kashmir. However, a detailed analysis published in Eurasia Review exposes the stark contrast between these claims and the ground realities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In these regions, real power resides firmly with Pakistan’s federal government in Islamabad. Local administrations are toothless, pro-independence groups face brutal crackdowns, media freedom is stifled, and constitutional setups actively hinder self-governance. The report paints a picture of systemic suppression that belies Pakistan’s lofty speeches.
Contrast this with the transformative changes in Jammu and Kashmir since India’s 2019 reforms. Massive investments in roads, railways, electricity, healthcare, and education have revolutionized everyday life. Travel and trade links have flourished, tourism has boomed creating thousands of jobs, and welfare schemes now reach the masses through direct benefit transfers.
Legal reforms have empowered women and marginalized communities with stronger property rights, while local elections have ensured grassroots representation. Voter turnout remains robust, signaling a populace eager for stability and progress over prolonged conflict.
Pakistan’s narrative, however, remains mired in hypocrisy. It demands international scrutiny of India while shielding its own governance from examination. Accusations of human rights abuses fly from Islamabad, even as political freedoms are curtailed in PoK. It decries militarization but relies on armed proxies to advance its agenda.
Jammu and Kashmir remains an integral part of India, bolstered by constitutional status, elected representation, and functioning institutions. Post-2019 data on elections, economic activity, and tourism underscores a clear preference for development over discord. Residents prioritize education, jobs, and infrastructure—hallmarks of an Indian ethos focused on the future, not festering grievances.
Pakistan’s stories glorifying violence or portraying Kashmir solely as a land of suffering ignore these aspirations, perpetuating instability instead of addressing real needs.