Islamabad/New Delhi, August 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Growing protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) have brought renewed focus on the economic hardships and limited opportunities faced by the region’s younger population, with students and professionals playing a prominent role in demonstrations led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
According to a report cited by IANS, young people have remained at the forefront of the protests, with those killed or seriously injured during the unrest reportedly including individuals in their mid-teens through their 30s.
The protests have centred on a range of public concerns, including electricity prices, education and healthcare. The report said limited access to higher education and employment opportunities has left young people with few avenues for professional growth, while opportunities in startups, sports and advanced education remain limited.
It described the protests as an indication of what it termed the Pakistani authorities’ failure to respond to the aspirations of the younger generation in PoJK.
The report contrasted the situation with developments in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. It highlighted increased investment in sports infrastructure, training facilities, coaching programmes and competitive opportunities, particularly noting greater participation of young women in sports.
It also cited Mission Youth, a flagship Jammu and Kashmir government initiative, as providing vocational training, financial assistance, entrepreneurship support, digital literacy, soft-skills training and industry-oriented programmes aimed at improving employment prospects.
The programme also covers livelihood generation, skill development, education, psycho-social counselling and recreational activities. According to the report, its initiatives include support related to de-radicalisation, de-addiction and reintegration.
The report further pointed to investments and localised job fairs that have helped young people, particularly women, pursue startups and year-round employment opportunities.
It argued that such opportunities remain largely unavailable to the youth of PoJK and criticised Islamabad for failing to demonstrate a comparable commitment to addressing their economic and social aspirations.
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