Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is witnessing its second major unrest in a month, this time led by Gen Z students. What started as a small campus protest over university fees and faulty exam results has now turned into a larger movement against the Shehbaz Sharif government and Pakistan’s powerful military establishment.
The protests began earlier this month at University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (UAJK) in Muzaffarabad. Students initially rallied against massive fee hikes and alleged errors in exam results after the introduction of a new digital assessment or e-marking system at the matriculation and intermediate levels.
The results of the intermediate first-year exams released after a six-month delay left thousands of students disappointed as reported by IANS. Many claimed they received unexpectedly low marks, while some said they were marked as “passed” in subjects they never even took.
In response, the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education in Mirpur formed a committee to review the e-marking process. However, students were furious especially after the government announced a rechecking fee of Rs 1,500 per subject, a heavy burden for most families in the region.
University denied claims
As per Kashmir Digital, the university administration denied reports of a massive 60% fee increase and called them “false and baseless.”
“Only a 10 per cent annual increase was applicable under existing regulations,” the administration clarified. It also said a proposed Rs 1,000 rise in transport fees, which hadn’t been approved, was immediately withdrawn. In the same statement, UAJK said teaching had been suspended at its Chella campus “to ensure the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff,” and requested law enforcement to take action against those involved in the violence.
Student protests continued despite explanation
Students at the Chella campus continued protesting against poor facilities, lack of transport, and administrative neglect. What started as an education protest soon grew into a massive movement against corruption, unemployment, and mismanagement issues that have long troubled Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Tensions escalated when gunfire broke out at one of the protest sites, injuring a student. According to Kashmir Digital, Someone opened fire on students before fleeing.
The incident reportedly took place in front of police officers, yet no immediate action was taken. Videos of the firing quickly went viral and in response, students blocked roads, burned tyres, and chanted slogans against the Shehbaz Sharif government and the Pakistan Army.
Observers say the unrest in PoK resembles youth-led protests in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, where frustration over corruption and poor governance led to nationwide uprisings.
In reaction to the protests, the UAJK administration has banned student unions and political activities on campus, saying the move is intended to restore order. However, many see this as an attempt to suppress student rights and political expression.
On October 30, when the results were finally released after months of delay, students were shocked by the unexpectedly low scores and even errors in subject marking.
While the government has yet to issue a formal explanation, the Mirpur education board has set up a committee to review the process.
Meanwhile, students continue to demand that the Rs 1,500 per subject rechecking fee be waived. With seven subjects to recheck, each student would otherwise have to pay Rs 10,500, an amount many families simply cannot afford.