Generation Z Sparks Unrest in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Over Education Policies

Post by : Raina Nasser

In Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), another wave of unrest unfolds as Gen Z students rise against the education policies of the Shehbaz Sharif government. The protests expose widespread discontent about soaring university fees, problematic exam procedures, and dwindling opportunities. What started as a peaceful demonstration has morphed into a significant social and political movement, with tensions spilling beyond university grounds.

Initially sparked at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) in Muzaffarabad, hundreds of students congregated to oppose drastic fee increases and discrepancies in exam results. A newly implemented digital evaluation system for matriculation and intermediate exams has ignited chaos, with many students reporting unexpectedly low grades or being erroneously marked as passed in classes they never attended.

When exam results were finally disclosed after a prolonged six-month wait, the fury amongst students intensified. Complaints surged from different institutions in PoK, leading authorities to establish a review committee. However, the situation escalated dramatically when the government enforced a rechecking fee of Rs 1,500 per subject, viewed by many as a predatory tactic. With the region already grappling with unemployment and poor development, this decision incited further outrage among the student population.

Earlier this week, chaos ensued when a man reportedly opened fire on students protesting in Muzaffarabad, injuring one individual. Eyewitnesses identified the shooter as Raja Mamoon Fahad, who reportedly discharged his weapon in front of police. Shockingly, he fled the scene without facing immediate consequences, contributing to rising distrust of law enforcement.

Footage of the violent incident quickly spread on social media, further stoking protests and galvanizing groups of citizens and student organizations against what they perceive as state repression. Demonstrations have erupted across various regions of PoK, with activists urgently demanding accountability, justice, and transparency from their government.

This student activism in PoK has drawn parallels to similar Gen Z protests in Nepal, where young people protested against governmental corruption and restrictions on social media. Experts observe that both movements highlight the frustrations of a new generation unwilling to accept systemic issues and state negligence.

In response to fears of a broader uprising, the Sharif government has reportedly ramped up security on university campuses and escalated control measures. Officials have imposed bans on student unions and political assembly on educational premises, an action critics claim quashes free speech and democratic rights.

The Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has voiced strong support for the protesting students and cautioned that ongoing repression may ignite wider unrest throughout Pakistan. Observers believe how the government addresses this crisis will determine whether the movement remains localized or evolves into a broader youth uprising.

The protests underscore a rising tide of dissatisfaction among Pakistan’s youth, feeling marginalized by stalled economic growth and a deteriorating educational system. With videos and personal accounts rapidly circulating online, the Gen Z movement in PoK is garnering global attention as a potent symbol of resistance against injustice and ineffective governance.

The situation remains tense as authorities struggle to manage the protests. The pressing question is — will Pakistan’s leadership finally engage with its youth, or continue to silence their demands for meaningful reform?