Talibanization of PoK Intensifies Under Pakistani Influence
Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) is facing a grave situation as the Talibanization of the region is intensifying under the influence of Pakistan. The Pakistani government has made wearing hijab mandatory for female students and teachers, and individuals from the region are required to register as Pakistani citizens in the 2023 census. These measures signal an effort to incorporate the territory into Pakistan, which is met with resistance by the people of PoK.
Compulsory Hijab Order
On March 6, the Pakistan Education Department issued a compulsory hijab order for female students and teachers in co-education schools where girls and women teachers in rural areas have been merged with boys' schools. The order applies to all female students and teachers and requires coverage of all female heads in ten districts. This move has been criticized by local journalists and activists, who find it to be an attack on women's rights. Some have even compared it to the Taliban decree in Afghanistan.
Forced Registration as Pakistani Citizens
Another measure implemented by the Pakistani government is the requirement for individuals from PoK to register as Pakistani citizens in the upcoming 2023 census. This move is unprecedented as previous census documents showed the PoK people as residents of Gilgit Baltistan, and their NADRA ID cards were "native of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir." The move violates the human rights of the people of PoK, who could be identified according to their ethnic or tribal identity. Despite protests by the people of PoK, the census authorities continue to register them as Pakistani citizens.
Rehmatul lil Alameen Authority
Another step towards Talibanization in PoK is the extension of the work of the Rehmatul lil Alameen Authority. The authority was set up in October 2021 by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to conduct research on the Prophet's biography and hadith to build the character of the youth in Pakistan. The extension of this authority in PoK might lead to a blurring of religious and ethnic identities of the people of the region. The move not only violates the UN Resolutions but also violates the human rights of the people of PoK.
The Plight of the People of PoK
Pakistan wants to gobble up the illegally occupied territory in violation of the UN Resolutions of 1947 and 1948. General Zia ul Haq began the process of Islamization of this occupied territory, and today, steps are being taken to erase the local linguistic and ethnic identity of the population. The problem is that Pakistan is on the verge of collapse, and little attention is being paid to the people of PoK. This is the tragedy of the situation.
Final Thoughts
The Talibanization of PoK under Pakistani influence is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by the international community. The people of PoK are being forced to accept measures that violate their human rights and erase their ethnic and linguistic identity. The situation in PoK requires immediate attention, and steps need to be taken to protect the rights of the people of PoK.
