LoC Divide: Celebration in Zojila, Unrest in PoK

The contrast between the LoC became evident on June 9 as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) witnessed fresh unrest while Jammu and Kashmir celebrated a major infrastructure milestone. Authorities in POK moved to stop a planned protest march by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) following deadly clashes in Rawalakot. Security forces detained hundreds of people, suspended internet services and increased deployments across the region amid fears of escalating protests. Demonstrations in towns such as Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur have focused on inflation, electricity tariffs, governance issues and political representation.

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POK faces unrest as protests over governance and inflation intensify

Public anger against Islamabad has grown over the years, with recurring protests demanding economic relief and greater autonomy. Activists have accused authorities of suppressing dissent through arrests and force. Similar demonstrations in recent years have led to casualties and widespread unrest, highlighting long-standing grievances in the region. The latest agitation has once again drawn attention to governance challenges and public dissatisfaction in POK and neighbouring Gilgit-Baltistan.

LoC: Zojila Tunnel breakthrough highlights infrastructure growth in Jammu and Kashmir

Across the Line of Control, engineers achieved the final breakthrough of the 13.15-km Zojila Tunnel, a strategic project that will provide year-round connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. The tunnel, expected to be operational by 2028, will reduce travel time and end the winter isolation caused by heavy snowfall at the Zojila Pass. The project joins other major infrastructure developments, including the Z-Morh Tunnel, Chenab Rail Bridge and the Kashmir rail link, aimed at improving connectivity and economic opportunities.

The breakthrough reflects a broader decade-long push to modernise Jammu and Kashmir through investments in transport, tourism, entrepreneurship and public infrastructure. Improved road and rail networks, rising investment and growing tourism have reshaped parts of the region’s economy. The developments on either side of the LoC underscore sharply different realities, with one region grappling with unrest and the other focusing on connectivity and development.

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