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The people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are infuriated over their unending woes due to issues like high inflation, frequent load shedding, unemployment and other violations of human rights.
Their anger towards the local government and those sitting in Islamabad is rising. Recently, a group of women in Muzaffarabad city showed their resentment against the government and raised surging electricity bills, high inflation, unemployment and many more issues. The protest in front of the Central Press Club was also joined by a group of lawyers and other political activists. A female advocate and protester said, "We have been out here protesting against the increased electricity bills for two months now. We are suffering from constant load-shedding problems. Also, the electricity bill which used to be four hundred to five hundred rupees, today has been increased to rupees four thousand to ten thousand". She added, "Apart from this, even after requests and recommendations, it is impossible for common people to access a single bag of flour, the price of which has also been increased from rupees eighteen hundred to rupees thirty-five hundred. Every day we visit the courts following the pertaining issues and interact with other people. People are troubled by the price rise and low supplies of food essentials". "The government is paying no attention to the problems we locals are facing. Moreover, the divergence of the river direction towards the dam has become a big issue as it has resulted in the degradation of the temperature and the groundwater level, which is affecting the locals now", said the protester. Another female protester said, "Why are we deprived of our river water? For which crime are we being punished? Make electricity-free for us. Why is the low-income group paying lakhs, and the people with higher incomes are giving nothing? How is this justifiable? Why do we have to bear with these issues? We are also Humans like they are, please get us relief from this". Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Balistan have been witnessing frequent protests for long as people have accused Islamabad for exploiting their resources, imposing heavy taxes and giving no heed to their grievances like high inflation and unemployment. A majority of the people in these regions are also opposing Pakistan's forceful occupation and demanding freedom. Unfortunately, for over seven decades, Pakistan has used PoK and Gilgit Baltistan as its colonies and have mistreated the people giving them no opportunities for growth and prosperity. (ANI)
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