Protests in PoK as a result of Pakistan’s systematic policy of resource plunder: India

India on May 17 said in Islamabad that protests witnessed in several parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were a result of “forced and illegal” systematic looting of resources from the occupied areas. He said it was a “natural result” of continued policy.

India also asserted that the entire union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh “has been, is and will continue to be an integral part of India”.

Also read: Recent riots in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir | Explained

Violent protests have erupted in PoK over the rising cost of food, fuel and basic goods as Pakistan descends into a deep economic crisis.

“We are aware of reports of protests in some parts of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a weekly press briefing.

He was responding to questions regarding the protests in PoK.

Jaiswal said: “We believe this is a natural consequence of Pakistan’s continuing policy of systematic extraction of resources from these areas, which remain under forced and illegal occupation.” Stated.

“Such exploitative policies deny local people, their rights to their resources and their benefits,” he said.

“We reiterate that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been and will continue to be an integral part of India,” it added.

Two days ago, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar maintained that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is and will always be a part of India.

“I wonder if people living in PoK are comparing their situation to people who actually live in Jammu and Kashmir and saying, how are people actually making progress there today? , there is no doubt in my own mind,” he said.

Earlier this month, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that while India would never give up its claim to PoK, there was no need to occupy it by force as the people would see the development of Kashmir and would want to become part of India themselves. Stated. .

“I don’t think India needs to do anything. If you look at the change in the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the way the region is developing economically and the way peace is returning there, people from the Indian PLA… I think the following demands will be made: “We should merge with India.”

“We don’t need to use force to take PoK as people say we have to merge with India. Such demands are coming now,” he said.

The Defense Minister asserted that “PoK has always been, is and will always be ours.”