Interesting Facts And History About Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

• Before studying the history and important facts it is important to understand the concept and the meaning of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. It is commonly referred to as PoK. Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) was part of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which was seized fraudulently by Pakistan and tribal insurgents in 1947. Pakistan divides it into Gilgit, Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. This area was called "Pakistan-controlled Kashmir" (or Pakistan-controlled Kashmir) by the United Nations and other international organizations, and the Modi government changed its name to "Pakistan-controlled Kashmir".

• Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) is divided into two parts by Pakistan for administrative convenience. They ​​are called Azad Jammu-o-Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan in their official language. In Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir is also known as Azad Kashmir for short. Azad Kashmir is attached to western Kashmir, India whereas Baltistan is the western region of Ladakh province and was occupied by Pakistan in 1947.

• In this we will learn some interesting facts and history about Pakistan occupied Kashmir, the article also includes some of the important historical events related to the history of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. It is important to note the reason for the conflict between the two countries and the claims made by either country, which is also briefly discussed in the article.

Why is POK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) important?

Due to its geographical location, PoK is of great strategic importance. It is bordered by several countries, with Pakistan's Punjab and Northwest Border Provinces (now known as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa) in the west, Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor in the northwest, and ROC (Republic of China)  Xinjiang Province and India's Chakra in the east. The geographical location of the PoK renders it very important for the geopolitical conflicts between the two nations, apart from it the history and the decisions made during the reign of the British government has also created the land as a major political hotspot.

(Image Will be Uploaded Soon)

The root of the conflict between India and Pakistan?

• As we have discussed in the article that the geographical location and the history of the PoK have rendered it politically important, we must understand the root cause of this long-lasting conflict between the nations. 

• In 1947, members of Pakistan’s Pashtun tribe attacked Jammu and Kashmir. Harisingh, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, sought military help from the Indian government. On October 26, 1947, the then Governor Mountbatten signed an agreement in the name of the government. Among them, three themes of national defence, diplomacy and communications were delivered to India. In all other matters, J&K is free to make its own decisions.

• On the basis of the agreement, India claimed that as a result of the treaty with Prince Harisingh, India’s rights to the entire state of Kashmir have been established. On this basis, India’s position on Kashmir as a whole including Pakistani Kashmir and Azad Kashmir which is opposed by the Pakistani government.

What are Pakistan occupied Kashmir claims about the treaty?

Pakistan’s claim is based on the Pakistan Declaration of 1933. According to this, the state of Jammu and Kashmir at that time was one of the five states in northern India, and Pakistan was established on the basis of a Muslim majority. But India does not accept this statement made by Pakistan, which further added to the conflict.

Administration of Pakistan occupied Kashmir

• As we have already discussed the formation and the political conflicts around PoK, we must understand the administrative conditions of the area. The article mentions the institution that acts as the head of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, both the parts of the PoK and their administrative details are mentioned in the topic. 

• After the war with Pakistan in 1947, Kashmir split into two parts. The part of Kashmir separated from India became a province of India called Jammu and Kashmir, while the part of Kashmir adjacent to Pakistan and Afghanistan was called Pakistani Kashmir or Pakistan occupied Kashmir. In order to properly manage the Pakistani Kashmir region, Pakistan has divided it into two parts which are mentioned below.

• Azad Kashmir, borders on the west of Kashmir, India. Northern Territory, Gilgit area was leased to the British government by the Maharaja. Baltistan is the area west of Ladakh Province that Pakistan took over in 1947. The area is part of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region.

• After joining, the Indian part of J&K follows the path of democracy in accordance with Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, and the area under Pakistan’s occupation is divided into two "Jammu and Kashmir" (AJK) and "Northern Areas", including Gilgit-Baltistan. AJK is governed by the Azad Kashmir Interim Constitutional Law passed in 1974. Although AJK has a president, a prime minister, and a council, the governance structure is powerless, relying on the establishment of Pakistan in smaller matters.

• The AJK leaders handed over the northern region to Pakistan in accordance with the Karachi Agreement of 1949. The Karachi Agreement governing the Pakistani government of Gilgit-Baltistan was signed by the President of Azad Kashmir, the Muslim Conference, and the non-Pakistani minister Mushtaq Ahmed Gulmani.

• Although the tension between the two countries still exists, both countries have adopted active policies and gestures to maintain peace and harmony. The above-mentioned points highlight the details of Pakistani Kashmir as well as the root causes and actions. Government

Interesting facts about Pakistan occupied Kashmir

We have understood the basic conflicts, their reason and the history of the PoK, this subheading covers Pakistan occupied Kashmir information which is important from a historical point of view. The facts are as follows.

• The head of Pakistan - occupied Kashmir is the president, and the prime minister is the executive director who is supported by the Council of Ministers.

• Jammu and Kashmir was under the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh and had never been directly under British rule during their colonization of the Indian subcontinent.

• Although India celebrated its independence on August 15, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh did not agree to join the Union of India until October 26, 1947.

• Accession Day is a public holiday celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir to commemorate October 26, 1947, when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the “Instrument of Accession to India“ at the Amar Palace in Jammu. The agreement incorporated the former princely independent state of J&K into the Union of India.

• In the early morning of October 27, the 1st Sikh Battalion of the Indian Army was airdropped into Srinagar, where it resisted the invasion of Patan and officially completed Kashmir's access to India.

• Free Kashmir or Azad Kashmir claims to have an autonomous legislature. The country’s current president is Sardar Masood Khan and Mohamed Rajafaluk Haider Khan is its current prime minister.

• Pak Occupied Kashmir (POK) also has its own Supreme Court and High Court.

• In 1963, Pakistan occupied part of Kashmir, Shaksgam Valley, Laksam and Baltistan areas were handed over to China by Pakistan, this area was called Ceded Area or Trans Karakoram area.

• Kashmiri separatists regard Accession Day as a black day.

• The section called Shaksgam is technically part of the Shigar valley in the Baltistan region of Ladakh province. Raja of Shigar controlled this land until Pakistan abolished the Raja government system in 1971. 

• The Tract is one of the most desolate areas in the world. It has some of the highest mountains such as Broad Peak, Gasherbrum and Masherbrum, and is adjacent to the highest battlefield in the world-the Siachen Glacier.

In conclusion of the article, according to the data, it can be said that the situation in Pakistani Kashmir (POK) is very bad. Although both the countries have tried maintaining peace and harmony, there is still a long way to the overall development of the area.