Muzaffarabad (PoK), May 17: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or PoK has endless stories of neglect and sorrow. Their plight does not end here. They are denied of their basic rights and their issues are hardly heard. Elected representatives of the region do not enjoy their full rights and powers; they are rather a dummy in the hands of the Pakistan government.The actual power lies in the hands of the officials or bureaucrats sent by the Pakistan government. Local leaders and political activists say appointees of the Pakistan government openly defy and abuse the power structure of the PoK area. They allege this is nothing new, and that they have been suffering due to the Pakistan government's apathy since the beginning. Locals allege they do not even have the same set-up as in other provinces of Pakistan. There is no job security, facilities of promotion or perks here. Recently, at a protest rally by secretariat employees in PoK, protesters complained of issues in even the basics, like salaries getting delayed. The Pakistan government’s apathy can be gauged from the fact that elected representatives are sidelined from the decision-making process. Locals are completely alienated and demand basic rights.
