The 'Azad' Myth: How Islamabad Created The Illusion Of Autonomy In Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir
The 'Azad' Myth: How Islamabad Created The Illusion Of Autonomy In Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Written By Last Updated: June 11, 2026, 15:06 IST If Pakistan formally
The 'Azad' Myth: How Islamabad Created The Illusion Of Autonomy In Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Written By Last Updated: June 11, 2026, 15:06 IST If Pakistan formally absorbs PoK as one of its provinces, it risks undermining its long-standing claim that Kashmir is a disputed territory awaiting a final settlement Rapid Read Under provisions of the constitutional framework, Pakistan can dismiss elected governments in PoK. (AFP) The violent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have given rise to a crucial question—if Pakistan controls the territory, why does it have its own prime minister, President, Assembly, Constitution and even a separate flag? Recent unrest has also revived the debate over whether these institutions represent genuine autonomy or merely a political arrangement designed to support Pakistan’s position on Kashmir. From India’s perspective, the answer lies in the history of Pakistan’s occupation of a part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir after the 1947-48 war. New Delhi maintains that the entire region legally acceded to India in 1947 and that Pakistan continues to occupy parts of it illegally. Why Doesn’t Pakistan Simply Make PoK A Province?
One reason is diplomatic. ALSO READ | PoK On The Boil: Why Deadly Protests Have Triggered An India-Pakistan War Of Words If Pakistan formally absorbs PoK as one of its provinces, it risks undermining its long-standing claim that Kashmir is a disputed territory awaiting a final settlement. Instead, Islamabad has historically projected PoK as a supposedly self-governing entity called “Azad Jammu and Kashmir" while retaining significant control over its affairs. This arrangement allows Pakistan to argue internationally that the region enjoys a degree of self-rule rather than being directly administered from Islamabad. Why Does PoK Have Its Own Prime Minister And President? PoK operates under the 1974 Interim Constitution Act, which created institutions resembling those of a sovereign entity: a Prime Minister, President, Legislative Assembly and judiciary. However, critics and rights groups have long argued that these institutions function within limits defined by Pakistan. Human Rights Watch noted that despite having structures associated with self-government, Islamabad retains extensive powers over the territory. Under provisions of the constitutional framework, Pakistan can dismiss elected governments in PoK. India has frequently cited such provisions as evidence that PoK’s autonomy exists largely on paper.
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