Understanding PoK

Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is the region which is referred by United Nations and other international organizations, as “Pakistani-controlled Kashmir” (or Pakistan Administered Kashmir) and it was re-named as Pakistan-Occupied Jammu-Kashmir by the PM Narendra Modi government. The 13,297 square kilometres region which has an estimated population of about four million has added fuel to the burning enmity between India and Pakistan.

When Maharaja Hari Singh agreed to accede to the Dominion of India only on 26th October 1947. By the time the invasion of Kashmir by the Pathan tribesmen supported by Pakistan Army had gone beyond control. Initially the invasion into the independent state of Jammu and Kashmir came from the Pathan Tribesmen, who plundered and looted their way up to Srinagar. Pakistan denied its role in this invasion though the evidence suggested something else.

The Maharaja faced an uprising by his Muslim subjects in Poonch, fuelled by the massacres of Muslims in Jammu, and the Maharajah lost control of the western districts of his kingdom. On 22 October 1947, Muslim tribal militias crossed the border of the state, claiming that they were needed to suppress a rebellion in the southeast of the kingdom. These local tribal militias and irregular Pakistani forces moved to take Srinagar, but on reaching Uri they encountered resistance. Hari Singh made a plea to India for assistance, and help was offered, but it was subject to his signing an Instrument of Accession to India.

After the accession, India airlifted troops and equipment to Srinagar under the command of Lt. Col. Dewan Ranjit Rai, where they reinforced the princely state forces, established a defence perimeter and defeated the tribal forces on the outskirts of the city. Initial defense operations included the notable defense of Badgam holding both the capital and airfield overnight against extreme odds. The successful defence included an outflanking manoeuvre by Indian armoured cars during the Battle of Shalateng. The defeated tribal forces were pursued as far as Baramulla and Uri and these towns, too, were recaptured.

The fronts solidified gradually along what came to be known as the Line of Control. A formal cease-fire was declared at 23:59 on the night of 1 January 1949. The result of the war was inconclusive, however, most neutral assessments, agree that India was the victor of the war as it was able to successfully defend about two-third of the Kashmir including Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh.

The region north-west of Line of Control, was called as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

Now, before i proceed to answer your question, let me clarify two predominately used terms in relation to PoK. Ever crossed across the term “Azad Kashmir”, one may contend that it is same as PoK, well in reality it’s more of out of focus.

Let me help you with Maps. The region you see in red in below map is known as Azad Kashmir.

The region you see in Green in below map is known as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir which comprises of Azad Kashmir.

Minus the Azad Kashmir Area, the other major region in PoK is Gilgit-Baltistan Region.

Now, as you are little in focus with words PoK and Azad Kashmir, let me answer your question, i.e. Is it occupied by the Pakistani military and govt, or the civilians?

Azad Kashmir, is a “self-governing…!” administrative division of Pakistan. Usage of quotes will be justified in the later part of the answer, yeah you are right, and answer has not ended.

The territory has a parliamentary form of government modelled after the Westminster system, with its capital located at Muzaffarabad. The President of Azad Kashmir is the constitutional head of the state, while the prime minister, supported by a Council of Ministers, is the chief executive. The unicameral Azad Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly elects both the prime minister and president. The state has its own Supreme Court and a High Court, while the Government of Pakistan's Ministry of Kashmir Affairs serves as a link between it and Azad Kashmir's government. Neither Azad Kashmir nor Gilgit-Baltistan elect members to Pakistan's National Assembly.

Above pic is of Supreme Court in Azad Kashmir

Above pic is of Legislative Assembly in Azad Kashmir

Coming to Justification,

Azad Kashmir is a self-governing state under Pakistani control, but under Pakistan's constitution the state is not formally a part of the country as the dispute on Azad Kashmir has not yet been resolved. Pakistan is administering the region as a self-governing territory rather than incorporating it in the federation since the UN-mandated ceasefire.

The government of Pakistan has not yet allowed Azad Kashmir to issue its own postage stamps, meaning that those of Pakistan are used instead. Brad Adams the Asia director at the U.S. based NGO Human Rights Watch has said in 2006

“Although 'azad' means 'free,' the residents of Azad Kashmir are anything but, The Pakistani authorities govern Azad Kashmir with strict controls on basic freedoms.”

Districts of Azad Kashmir.

Controlled by Pakistan Govt. literally means controlled by Pakistan Military, as both later and former are synonyms lately, and driven by ISI Policies of Good and Bad terrorism.

Coming to rest of PoK i.e. Gilgit-Baltistan,this is where “Ivy league of terrorism” takes place, in layman’s term, Training camps of terrorist groups. Does this mean Azad Kashmir Area is peaceful and doesn’t have training camps, yeah mostly, but just for your knowledge, Azmal kasab, one of the convicted of the 26/11 attack on India. He received his marine warfare training in Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK in Pakistan.

While going through other answers and comments made, let me clarify that, we have no problem if people in Pakistan and/or PoK are happy, we never had problem, it was your Govt. or i should say Pakistan Military, who couldn’t digest good relations between India-Pakistan at people to people level. Problem with we Indians is, we have got brains, we just don’t Indian People we care for people as whole, which is the reason, we don’t keep shouting we have nuclear arsenal, which is the reason, Even having reached Lahore, we returned back to original positions, and also, that is the reason Pakistan Still has its own flag.

Talking about what India is capable of, I would just say, evidence speaks for themselves, and in our case, the evidence is an Independent Country Bangladesh.

Kashmir Issue talks cannot be complete, without talking about UN Resolution for Plebiscite aka United Nations Security Council Resolution 47. So, for all those Pakistani People and some self-declared brainy intellectuals on our side, keep complaining that India never implemented it. The reply is that, our turn didn’t come yet.

People who keep talking about UN Resolution, kindly become go read the actual resolution which was written, and not the one placed into your minds people talk connections.

“The Resolution”

The final resolution adopted had two parts. The first part increased the Commission's strength to five members and asked it to proceed to the Indian subcontinent at once to mediate between India and Pakistan. The second part dealt with the Security Council’s recommendations for restoring peace and conducting a plebiscite. This involved three steps.

• In the first step, Pakistan was asked to use its "best endeavours" to secure the withdrawal of all tribesmen and Pakistani nationals, putting an end to the fighting in the state.
• Then, in the second step, India was asked to "progressively reduce" its forces to the minimum level required for keeping law and order. It laid down principles that India should follow in administering law and order in consultation with the Commission, using local personnel as far as possible.
• Then, in the third step, India was asked to ensure that all the major political parties were invited to participate in the state government at the ministerial level, essentially forming a coalition cabinet. India should then appoint a Plebiscite Administrator nominated by the United Nations, who would have a range of powers including powers to deal with the two countries and ensure a free and impartial plebiscite. Measures were to be taken to ensure the return of refugees, the release of all political prisoners, and for political freedom.

So, I ask, when is Pakistan Withdrawing its military? Whole world know answer.

India should have never accepted the UN Resolution as it was Maharaja Hari Singh, Ruler of Princely state of Jammu & Kashmir, who acceded to India, by signing on the Instrument of Accession, and not by force, so, by laws of accession, J&K is part of Indian and will remain so. But more than greed of land unlike others, we loved Peace in region, and i guess we are coming to our senses now by realizing the price we are paying in blood.

For Pakistan, there all time problem, the military angle has always caused problem. Problem with them is, they are always in revenge mode, and just that, they don’t see the bigger picture and their primary interest is just there revenge, because of which the people of Pakistan are suffering, and see the irony, Countries Military is considered to be pride of nation, whereas here in this case, Pakistan Military Establishment has just forgotten that, by giving a no eye to larger interest of public.

Sources:-

• Azad Kashmir - Wikipedia
• United Nations Security Council Resolution 47 - Wikipedia
• Modi effect! Pakistan-occupied Kashmir wants to be part of India
• How India's control over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has loosened over time | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis
• https://postoast.com/facts-about-...

Thank You!