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A “sham” election sparked popular outrage in nominally autonomous Pakistan-administered Kashmir – and a corresponding security crackdown.
The Madina Market of Muzaffarabad, a major regional commercial hub, has finally reopened to economic activity following weeks of turmoil. Muzaffarabad – the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, housing the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the Legislative Assembly, and other government buildings emblematic of its on-paper autonomy – is showing signs of a return to daily life. Likewise, Mirpur, the region’s second largest city, has now resumed intracity public transportation, allowing locals to move between Pakistan and the territory Islamabad dubs as Azad, or Free Jammu and Kashmir. Nevertheless, Pakistan-administered Kashmir still has a visibly heightened deployment of security personnel.
Over the past three months, at least 80 people have been killed across the region amid the general election in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which was held from July 27 to August 10. The election, which was widely deemed contentious owing to allegations of polling day irregularities, in addition to pre-election machinations alleged to benefit status quo parties, saw the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) – which are also leading the ruling alliance in Islamabad – emerge victorious.
