We need India's help, there is a huge shortage of food here"

Islamabad: As the Pakistani government's repression continues in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a local leader has come forward requesting India's help.

Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) leader Sardar Aman Khan has called for closer ties with India and humanitarian assistance. Sardar Aman Khan sought help from India at a huge protest rally held at Eidgah Ground in Rawalakot. A video of him saying, "We need India's help, there is a huge shortage of food here" is being widely circulated on social media.

He demanded that India open the Poonch and Doda sectors for civilian travel across the Line of Control. He said that the people are suffering due to the economic blockade imposed by Pakistan and if the situation worsens, they should be allowed to move to India. 

For the past more than a month, there has been a strong protest against the Pakistani government in PoK. The people who participated in the rally had come out shouting slogans like 'PoK is not part of Pakistan'. 

Aman Khan warned that if the authorities respond with bullets instead of accepting the legitimate demands of the people, they will have to find other ways. The region is facing a severe shortage of food and medicine due to the severe repression by the Pakistani security forces. Dozens of people have already been killed during the protests. 

Reports suggest that the pattern of ruling parties in Islamabad winning elections for decades is not a mere coincidence and that the political situation in PoK is complex. When asked by Aman Khan whether they are ready to move to the Line of Control if the current situation worsens, the crowd responded with a "yes". It is in this context that the protest leaders are openly calling for India to intervene to help them.