I do not have a platform, and the few who do visit my website likely do so to view garish red-and-black graphics and music collections, not read about a place they have never heard of. But I feel a moral imperative to share this, because if even one person is moved to share or take any form of action, it is enough. You will have to forgive my writing being even more erratic and rambling than usual, I just need to get something down and out.
Peaceful protesters are violently being suppressed in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, and a wide-ranging media blackout means nobody is talking about it. Basic demands of fair and democratic elections which truly represent the region, and affordable resources are being met with bullets. Dozens of innocents are dying at the hands of the same Pakistan which refers to Kashmir as its “jugular vein.” One such victim of this violence, a martyr, really, was Osama Jamil, a young PhD student at Pakistan’s top research university. His crime? Speaking up for his people and demanding cheaper wheat.
I am, ashamedly, ill-equipped to speak on the situation in large, but I can tell you about the little I have been able to glean about my hometown, Rawalakot, though communication from the region is near impossible. Days will pass without any contact from our relatives who live there, and when we finally do manage to get in touch for a moment, or hear updates from someone in mainland Pakistan, there is never any good news. Always another peaceful activist or innocent civilian martyred, always shortages of food. Once, my grandmother is trapped in her living room for 5 hours because bullets are raining down so heavily. It seems they might penetrate her door at any moment. Another time, my uncle attempts to go to the mosque to pray. An army ranger stops him, and sends him away under the threat of a rifle. He is lucky he is not shot. He hides under the counter of a nearby store until it is safe to somehow return home. And still, these people are undeterred. Even as they are gunned down, they still protest, demand their rights. My uncle still goes to the mosque to pray. The government and army’s intimidation tactics are nothing to those who have no fear.
Unfortunately, the strength of their spirit alone cannot overcome the mortal wounds inflicted on them. There are inadequate hospital structures, and those who need specialised treatment are unable to travel to better-equipped facilities out of fear of being arrested or more likely killed. The restriction of movement to and from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir means there is very little food, and people are starving. The poorest and most vulnerable are worst affected by it all. Brave volunteers are smuggling in deliveries of food and medical supplies on motorbikes, but of course this too is limited. There seems no end to this senseless violence, and supplies are running low. This is a targeted tactic on part of the Pakistani government, who believe they can starve the Kashmiri people into submission. The media blackout has been weaponised, so that limited awareness means limited external aid. And Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, a little goes a long way. Even just £1 when converted to PKR can purchase over a kilo of wheat, rice, or vegetables. The smallest donation could be life-saving. So if you have read this far, I implore you to consider donating here, to a non-profit organisation based near Rawalakot which will ensure supplies directly reach those who need them.
Like I said, I do not have any influence, but if I can reach even a single person who will either donate or raise awareness, I owe it to the people of Kashmir. If you have read this far, please consider giving what you can, or sharing this post forward to someone else. Not much of my website is made to be seen by others, but I want to amplify this post in particular as much as possible.
