Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: People in Muzaffarabad stage anti-government protest against inflation, corruption

The rally organised by the lawyers and civil society members was joined by a large number of women who are facing the heat of high inflation in the occupied territory, reports ANI news agency.

Nasir Hussain Naqvi, an advocate and protester, told the news agency, “Daily wagers here are dying due to hunger. People are committing suicide. Three rivers are flowing in Muzaffarabad, but still the residents have no drinking water. We are requesting the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Prime Minister of PoK to announce a special relief package similar to what has been announced for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.”

He said, “People are protesting against high inflation. As there has been a hike in the price of petrol, the rates of daily food items have skyrocketed.”

Naqvi said that thousands of people are migrating from the area due to rising problems and politicians are enjoying luxury life.

“The politicians have no conscience. The people who have elected them are dying due to hunger and they (politicians) are buying luxury cars. The poor are struggling for daily needs. We demand that the purchase of new government vehicles should be stopped and the people should be given subsidies for daily needed items,” said advocate Naqvi.

Women, who participated in the protest, said they are suffering due to rising inflation.

A woman protester told ANI, “Our life has become so problematic. If you go to buy clothes or any goods, the prices are skyrocketing. We are neither left worthy of living nor worthy of dying."